December 5, 2008

Did Coldplay rip off Joe Satriani?

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Coldplay have been called many things, but Joe Satriani wannabes? That's a new one, and it's apparently what the chrome-domed axe man himself is claiming in a new lawsuit. Satriani accuses Coldplay of ganking the riff from his 2004 instrumental "If I Could Fly" for their hit single "Viva La Vida." (A representative for the band hasn't replied to our request for a comment.) Anyway, let's go to the tapes....

Anyway, let's go to the tapes....

I'm no intellectual property lawyer, and I don't really believe in suing people over melodic similarities, but I'll be damned if Satriani's screamin' riff starting around 00:50 in the first clip doesn't sound extremely familiar. That said, this is a pretty elementary combination of notes. If anything, I think Coldplay's members are most likely guilty of writing a boring major-chord tune in an attempt to make a hit. But you tell me — do you think Satriani has a point?

(Meanwhile, if this whole thing feels like déjà vu, you're not crazy. As Wook recalled yesterday, Coldplay were previously accused of stealing the "Viva La Vida" tune from a random indie act called Creaky Boards back in June; Coldplay vehemently denied that charge at the time.)

More on Coldplay and suspiciously similar music:
Coldplay is one of EW's 2008 Entertainers of the Year
They gave EW a sneak preview of Viva La Vida back in May
EW.com got an exclusive glimpse of one of bassist Guy Berryman's sketches
2002's A Rush of Blood to the Head is one of EW's New Music Classics
EW took a look at a few other soundalike songs in 2006


Source: Pop Watch

New York Dolls

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The New York Dolls are an American glam rock band formed in New York City, United States in 1971. In 2004 the band reformed with three of their original members, two of whom, David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain, continue on today and released a new album in 2006. The original bassist, Arthur Kane died shortly after their first reunion concert.

The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later spawned the Ramones, Blondie, Television, and Talking Heads.

History

Sylvain Sylvain and Billy Murcia, who went to junior high school and high school together, started playing in a band called “the Pox” in 1968. After the frontman quit, Murcia and Sylvain started a clothing business across the street from a doll repair shop called the New York Doll Hospital. Sylvain claimed that shop inspired the name for their future band. In 1970 they formed a band again and they recruited Thunders to join on bass though Sylvain ended up teaching him to play guitar, they called themselves the "Dolls." When Sylvain left the band to spend a few months in London, Thunders and Murcia went their separate ways.

Thunders was eventually recruited by Kane and Rivets who had been playing together in the Bronx. At Thunders' suggestion, Murcia replaced the original drummer. Thunders played lead guitar and sang for the band known as Actress. An October 1971 rehearsal tape recorded by Rivets was released as Dawn of the Dolls. When Thunders decided he no longer wanted to be the front man, Johansen joined the band. Initially, the group was composed of singer David Johansen, guitarists Johnny Thunders and Rick Rivets (who was replaced by Sylvain Sylvain after a few months), bass guitarist Arthur "Killer" Kane and drummer Billy Murcia. The original lineup's first performance was on Christmas Eve 1971 at a homeless shelter, the Endicott Hotel.

The band was influenced by vintage rhythm and blues, the early Rolling Stones, classic American girl group songs, and anarchic post-psychedelic bands such as the MC5 and the Stooges, as well as then-current glam rockers such as Marc Bolan. They did it their own way, creating something which critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote "doesn't really sound like anything that came before it. It's hard rock with a self-conscious wit, a celebration of camp and kitsch that retains a menacing, malevolent edge."[1]. Despite their impeccable rock/punk/glam credentials, the band's sound was also formed by blues and soul influences, as evidenced by Johansen`s bluesy harmonica and their choice of cover versions - their two Mercury albums contain their covers of songs originally performed by Bo Diddley,The Drells, Sonny Boy Williamson, The Coasters and the Jay Hawks (though in the case of The Jay Hawks` song Stranded in the Jungle, the Dolls may have been more familiar with a cover version by The Cadets). The CD Private World : The Complete Early Studio Demos 1972/3 includes their versions of songs by Otis Redding, Gary US Bonds, Chuck Berry, The Shangri-Las and Muddy Waters. The jazz music influence was particularly important for Johansen, whose subsequent career included work with jazz man Big Jay McNeely and blues man Hubert Sumlin.

As a frontman, Johansen's aggression, wit and energy made up for what was a slightly one-dimensional singing voice, while Thunders's lead playing was compared to the slashing of a knife-fight. Their repertoire was mostly written by Johansen (he used the name David Jo Hansen at the time) and Thunders and occasionally by Johansen and Sylvain. The songs were a series of vignettes about life in the New York underground. After getting a manager and attracting some music industry interest, the band got a break when Rod Stewart invited them to open for him at a London (then glam rock's capital city) concert. Shortly thereafter, Murcia died of accidental suffocation at age 21 after he passed out from drugs and alcohol.

Once back in New York, the Dolls auditioned drummers, including Marc Bell (who would go on to play with Richard Hell and Ramones under the stage name "Marky Ramone") and Jerry Nolan, a friend of the band. They selected Nolan, and after US Mercury Records' A&R man Paul Nelson signed them, they began sessions for their debut album. New York Dolls was produced by former Nazz guitarist Todd Rundgren. In an interview in Creem magazine, Rundgren says he barely touched the recording, everybody was debating how to do the mix. sales were sluggish, especially in the glam-resistant middle US, and Stereo Review magazine reviewer in 1973 compared the Dolls' guitar playing to the sound of lawnmowers.

The Dolls still polarised America's mass rock audience (a Creem magazine poll landed them wins as the best and the worst new group of 1973), but at the 'large capacity club' level, they toured the US to some satisfaction. The Dolls also toured Europe, and whilst appearing on UK TV, host Bob Harris of the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test famously derided the group as "mock rock," comparing them unfavorably with the Rolling Stones in the same way The Monkees had been with the Beatles, as their unoriginal, upstart clones. Though Harris and much of the 'old guard' of rock journalists and critics were unimpressed, young rock fans throughout the UK disagreed, and the New York Dolls' straightforward music and outrageous attitude were later cited as key influences on punk rock.

For their next album the quintet opted for producer George (Shadow) Morton, whose productions for the Shangri-Las and other girl groups in the mid-1960s had been among the band's favorites, for 1974's Too Much Too Soon. Mercury dropped the Dolls not long after the second album. In 1975, foundering in drug abuse and interpersonal spats as the opportunities dried up, the band briefly recruited Malcolm McLaren as their new manager. The kind of provocative stunts McLaren later made work for the Sex Pistols blew up in the Dolls' faces. Dressing the band in red leather for performances with a Soviet flag backdrop was no substitute for the original sex-drugs outrage of glam rock.

The McLaren-era Dolls were captured in a live set released by Fan Club records in 1986, Red Patent Leather. Production is credited to Sylvain Sylvain, with former manager Marty Thau credited as executive producer. In addition to the expected line-up of Johansen/Sylvain/Thunders/Nolan/Kane, Kane's replacementPeter Jordan is credited with "second bass." The set is notable for a number of songs which were presumably intended for the third album, some of which were later revisited by Johansen and Sylvain in their solo careers.

Break-up

Thunders and Nolan left in 1975 while on tour in Florida. A taste of The Dolls without them is to be found on the album Tokyo Dolls Live (Fan Club/New Rose), from a Japanese show in August 1975, for which Johansen/Sylvain/Jordan were joined by keyboard player Chris Robison[1] and drummer Tony Machine. The material is similar to that on Red Patent Leather, but notable for a radically re-arranged "Frankenstein" and a cover of Big Joe Turner's "Flip Flop Fly." The album is undated and has no production credit, but was issued circa 1986.

Thunders and Nolan formed The Heartbreakers with bassist Richard Hell who had left Television the same week. After a few shows they added guitarist Walter Lure and few month later replaced Hell with Billy Rath. They participated in the "Anarchy Tour" with the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned in Britain in 1976, while the other Dolls recruited replacements (including Blackie Lawless a childhood friend of Kane's who replaced Thunders for the remainder of the Florida tour) and continued until 1975. The Heartbreakers recorded one British-only studio album and a few odds-and-ends live sets (including a memorable set from a Max's Kansas City show) before splintering into an on-and-off concern.

Thunders continued to tour and record throughout the 1980s, releasing one solo album (So Alone, on which Sex Pistols Steve Jones and Paul Cook played) and several sets of covers and a few originals. He died in New Orleans in 1991, of an alleged heroin and methadone overdose, although there are signs that he may have been murdered over a drug-related dispute, and that the police didn't properly investigate what appeared to just be the death of another junkie. It has also come to light that he suffered from leukemia. Nolan died a few months later in 1992, following a stroke, brought about by bacterial meningitis.

Johansen started a solo career after the Dolls broke up, and Sylvain was a member of his band for much of this time. Several Johansen-Sylvain songs never made it to vinyl until the first two Johansen solo albums: e.g., "Funky But Chic," "Girls," and "Frenchette." His fourth solo album, a concert set called "Live it Up," contained a medley of The Animals' "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," "Don't Bring Me Down," and "It's My Life."

Johansen had his greatest commercial success portraying the fictional lounge lizard/singer Buster Poindexter, who mixed comedy with a kitschy hybrid of soul and tropical pop. Under Buster Poindexter's name, Johansen finally made a chart-topping single: one of the 1980s' biggest dance hits, "Hot Hot Hot." He also hosted a variety show on VH1 as Poindexter, then moved on to folk and blues with David Johansen and the Harry Smiths through the '90s. A posthumous New York Dolls album, Lipstick Killers (made up of early demo tapes of the original Dolls with Billy Murcia on drums), was released in a cassette-only edition on ROIR Records in 1981, and subsequently re-released on CD, and then on vinyl in early 2006. All the tracks from this title - sometimes referred to as The Mercer Street Sessions (though actually recorded at Blue Rock Studio, NYC) - are included on the CD Private World, along with other tracks recorded elsewhere, including a previously unreleased Dolls original, Endless Party. Three more unreleased studio tracks, including another previously unreleased Dolls original, Lone Star Queen, are included on the CD Rock 'n' Roll. The other two are covers - Johnny Holiday's Courageous Cat Theme and a second attempt at Don't Mess With Cupid, a song written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd for Otis Redding and first recorded by the Dolls for the Mercer Street/Blue Rock Sessions

Syl Sylvain formed his own band, The Criminals, then cut a solo album for RCA, while also working with Johansen. He later became a cab driver in New York, which he later described as the worst job on earth. In the early 1990s he moved to Los Angeles and recorded one album called "Sleep Baby Doll," on Fishhead Records. His bandmates on that record were: Brian Keats on drums (Dave Vanian's Phantom Chords), Speediejohn Carlucci on bass (ex- Fuzztones), & Olivier Le Baron on lead guitar. Guest appearances by Frankie Infante of Blondie and Derwood Andrews of Generation X were also included on the record. It has been re-released as "New York A Go Go," along with tracks by The Criminals.

Influence

The band influenced a whole era of musicians and bands, such as Kiss, Hanoi Rocks, Blondie, The Clash, Ramones, Dead Boys, Mötley Crüe, Faster Pussycat, JetBoy, Guns N' Roses, The Damned, The Smiths, and Japan. They were also a large influence on various members of the Sex Pistols, especially guitarist Steve Jones, who later said that on looking back at his movement on stage, felt embarrassed at how much he copied Johnny Thunders' style.[2] The Pistols' manager, Malcolm McLaren, briefly managed the Dolls towards the end of their career.

They were also a major influence on the rock music scene in New York City, having accumulated a devoted cult following during their career. By the time the New York Dolls had disbanded, Ira Robbins writes that they "singlehandedly began the local New York scene that later spawned the Ramones, Blondie, Television, Talking Heads and others. A classic case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, the Dolls were much more than just a band. Their devoted original audience became the petri dish of a scene; they emulated their heroes and formed groups in their image."[3]

It should be noted that their influence was not confined to the legions of soundalikes - Morrissey of The Smiths and R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe and Peter Buck are noted for their Dolls enthusiasms, Stipe being one of the guests on the re-union CD and Morrissey (as "Steven Morrissey") having written a book about them in his pre-Smiths days.

Reunion

UK singer-songwriter Morrissey organized a reunion of the three surviving band members (Johansen, Sylvain, and Kane) for the Meltdown Festival in 2004. Morrissey is a long-time fan of the band; in the 1970s, he headed their fan club in the UK. The reunion led to a live LP and DVD on Morrissey's Attack label, and a film, New York Doll, showing Kane's point of view of the genesis of the reunion contrasted against the backdrop of his conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, future plans were affected when the news came of Arthur Kane's unexpected death on July 13, 2004 from leukemia. During 2004 they played several festivals in the UK, and just like the old days, they were as notable for their extravagant behavior as their raucous performances.

In July 2005, the two surviving members announced a tour and a new album, titled One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This. Released on July 25, 2006 the album features guitarist Steve Conte, bassist Sami Yaffa (formerly of Hanoi Rocks and JetBoy), drummer Brian Delaney and keyboardist Brian Koonin, formerly a member of David Johansen and the Harry Smiths. On July 20, 2006, the New York Dolls appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, followed by a live performance in Philadelphia at the WXPN All About The Music Festival, and on July 22, 2006, a taped appearance on The Henry Rollins Show. On August 18, 2006, the band performed in a free concert before some 9,000 fans at New York's Seaport Music], on a bill with the Brooklyn-based indie band Tralala.

In October 2006 the band embarked on a UK tour, with Sylvain Sylvain taking time while in Glasgow to speak to John Kilbride of STV. The discussion covered the band's history and the current state of their live show and songwriting, with Sylvain commenting that "even if you come to our show thinking 'how can it be like it was before,' we turn that around 'cos we've got such a great live rock 'n roll show".[4]

In November 2006 the Dolls began headlining "Little Steven's Underground Garage Presents the Rolling Rock and Roll Show," about 20 live gigs with numerous other bands. These shows have been very well-received and well-attended as well. The band plays a mix of their newest album as well as older favorites. In April 2007, the band played in Australia, appearing at the V Festival with Pixies, Pet Shop Boys, Gnarls Barkley, Beck, Jarvis Cocker and Phoenix. On September 22, 2007, New York Dolls was removed from the current artists section of Roadrunner Records' website, signifying the groups split with the label. The band are scheduled to play the O2 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park, London on July 4, 2008 with Morrissey and Beck and the Lounge On The Farm Festival on July 12, 2008.

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • 1973 - Bad Girl / Subway Train
  • 1973 - Jet Boy / Babylon / Who Are the Mystery Girls
  • 1973 - Personality Crisis / Looking for a Kiss
  • 1973 - Trash / Personality Crisis
  • 1974 - Stranded in the Jungle / Don't Start Me Talkin'
  • 1974 - (There's Gonna Be A) Showdown / Puss 'n' Boots
  • 2006 - Gimme Luv and Turn On the Light

Compilations

  • 1977 - New Bum Dolls / Too Much Too Soon
  • 1977 - Very Best of New York Dolls
  • 1985 - Night of the Living Dolls
  • 1985 - The Best of the New York Dolls
  • 1987 - New York Dolls + Too Much Too Soon
  • 1990 - Super Best Collection
  • 1994 - Rock'n Roll
  • 1998 - Hootchie Kootchie Dolls
  • 1999 - The Glam Rock Hits
  • 1999 - The Glamorous Life Live
  • 2000 - Actress: Birth of The New York Dolls
  • 2000 - Endless Party
  • 2000 - New York Tapes 72/73
  • 2002 - Great Big Kiss (reissue of Seven Day Weekend and Red Patent Leather)
  • 2003 - Looking For A Kiss
  • 2003 - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of New York Dolls
  • 2004 - The Return of the New York Dolls - live from Royal Festival Hall 2004
  • 2007 - New York Dolls appear on PBS's television show "Soundstage"
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Source: Wikipedia

Caroline Kennedy interested in NY Senate seat

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Caroline Kennedy has spoken to New York Gov. David Paterson about the Senate seat that will come open when Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes secretary of state, according to a person familiar with the conversation.

Kennedy reached out to the governor to discuss the Senate seat, according to the Democratic source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversation was private. The source would not disclose the details of the conversation.

Kennedy is the daughter of President John F. Kennedy and a niece of brothers Edward and Robert. Robert Kennedy held the New York seat from 1965 until his assassination in 1968.

As a prominent member of the Kennedy clan, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg is the kind of high-profile, historic figure who could overshadow many other New York politicians hoping to be Paterson's choice.

The governor has said he is in no rush to make a decision, and Clinton is not giving up the seat before she is confirmed as President-elect Barack Obama's secretary of state.

"The governor has not yet reached out to any potential candidates," said Paterson's spokesman, Errol Cockfield. "He has been approached by several candidates. Any discussions related to that selection are private and the governor will not comment about speculation before a decision is made."

Word of the conversation comes days after Kennedy's cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced he was not interested in the job — a move that sidesteps any messy interfamily competition.

Whoever Paterson appoints would serve for two years and then have to run in a special election in 2010, along with Paterson and New York's senior senator, Charles Schumer. The candidate would then have to run again in 2012.

Kennedy has strong connections to incoming Obama administration officials — though Obama transition spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter insisted they were not involved in any way with the search for the next U.S. senator from New York.

As a prominent booster of Barack Obama's presidential bid, Kennedy spent much of 2008 taking bigger steps onto the public stage.

As famous as she is, she always has been viewed as almost painfully shy. She does not like talking about herself, nor does she appreciate those who do.

She met her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, while working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They married in 1986 and have three children.

She made a splash in early 2008 by writing an op-ed column for The New York Times declaring her support for Obama, saying he had the potential to be as inspirational to Americans as her father was in the 1960s. She also spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

She then hit the campaign trail with Obama, and worked on the vice-presidential search that eventually settled on Joe Biden.

Caroline Kennedy is easily the most famous contender for Clinton's Senate seat, but there are plenty of others. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is widely known in the state. Paterson could also pick Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown or Tom Suozzi, a Long Island elected official.

There are also a number of House members in the running, including Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Kirsten Gillibrand, Steve Israel, Brian Higgins, Nydia Velazquez and Jerrold Nadler.

Source: News Week

O.J. Simpson sentenced to at least 15 years in prison

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O.J. Simpson, the disgraced football icon, was sentenced on Friday to at least 15 years in prison for criminal charges that included kidnapping and armed robbery. He will not be eligible for parole until after at least five years. Judge Jackie Glass of Clark County District Court earlier ruled that Simpson cannot be freed on bail during the appeal, acording to reports

Source: Market Watch

Dostana



Dostana
(Hindi: दोस्ताना, translation: Friendship) is a Bollywood film starring Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra. It is directed by Karan Johar's assistant, Tarun Mansukhani. The film began filming in Miami, United States in March 2008, and is the first Bollywood film to be set entirely in Miami.Dharma Productions's Dostana was released on November 14, 2008.

Plot

This is a story about two guys, Sameer (Abhishek Bachchan) who is a nurse and Kunal (John Abraham), a photographer. They bump into each other while looking for an apartment to rent and coincidentally head towards the same apartment. However, they are both thrown out because the owner wants to rent the apartment to girls only, since her niece, Neha (Priyanka Chopra) stays in that apartment alone. Sameer gets an idea that if Kunal and he pretend to be gay lovers, then the owner will agree to let them stay. Kunal initially refuses, but agrees out of desperation. Their plan works and they move in. Over a period of time Neha, Kunal and Sameer become good friends, hanging out together and having fun.

One day Neha's boss 'M', short for Murli (Boman Irani) announces that he is resigning his job as the editor-in-chief of Verve magazine and is in charge of replacing himself. In order to impress her boss and bag the job, Neha invites him for dinner at her house. Next day at Neha's office M announces Abhimanyu Singh (Bobby Deol) as the next editor-in-chief. Neha, heartbroken returns home where Kunal and Sameer try to console her. Kunal, Sameer and Neha then together work out a difficult project she was given by her boss and Neha becomes a hit at her office. Looking at her success Abhimanyu appoints her as the co-editor-in-chief of Verve.

Meanwhile, in Kunal's absence Sameer takes out Neha out and they share an intimate time. Later, at a mall Sameer tries to tell Neha he loves her and that he's not gay through a trial room door, but turns out Kunal was behind that door and heard everything he said. He becomes angry with Sameer and states that he also loves her. As they try to figure out what to do Kunal says that as tomorrow's Neha's birthday they should go out to this new place he knows, but actually sends him to a male strip bar while he and Neha enjoy an intimate dinner and movie at a park. Sameer comes to know of this and furiously hits Kunal and a fight breaks out which Neha ends. The next day, Abhimanyu asks Neha out to an event and asks her to bring her two friends along. In the event while the trio are enjoying, Abhimanyu enters and sweeps Neha away. Then Kunal and Sameer decide to first eliminate him together. They try telling him to do exact opposite of things that Neha likes, but their plan doesn't work. They then set their sights on Abhimanyu's 5-year old son Veer (Shrey Bawa). They try to make Veer hate Neha. The next day, Neha comes to know that Abhi is going to propose her. Neha goes to Kunal and Sameer, and asks them what she should do as she is not even thinking about marriage yet. Both of them ask her not marry him and reveal that they aren't gay and are in love with her. Meanwhile Veer tells Abhimanyu of his fears and cries saying that he doesn't want him to marry Neha. As Neha tearfully turns away from Kunal and Sameer, Abhimanyu hugs her and tells her that they can't be together as Veer isn't comfortable with that. Kunal and Sameer see them hugging and presume them to be engaged. Neha comes home and asks the guys to leave the house.

Later, Kunal and Sameer go to the immigration office to get their residence permit and realize that they miss Neha, so they go to get her at an office party that she is attending. They try explaining to her but she refuses to listen and Abhimanyu enters. Kunal asks when they are going to get married and Neha tells him that they broke up because Veer wasn't comfortable with her. They both tell them the truth and Abhimanyu and Neha furiously try to leave the place. But the guys stop them and get on to the stage and tell the crowd their story and ask them tell Neha to grant forgiveness. The crowd edges them to do stuff like get on the knees and beg to Neha, when one of them asks them to kiss each other . The guys adamantly refuse to do it when Abhimanyu says that since they are very fond of being gay, it is the only way they can be forgiven. Kunal refuses to do it but Sameer convinces him and tries to kiss him but at the end moment he cant do it. As Kunal sees Neha and Abhimanyu starting to leave he forcibly kisses Sameer and Abhimanyu tells Neha that those guys were really her best friends to do this as even he couldn't have done it, even for her. Neha goes to them and they make up. After two months Neha, Kunal and Sameer are sitting in their apartment balcony and Neha asks them if anytime during their act of being gay, they ever felt anything towards each other. They vehemently deny it and Neha leaves apologizing. Sameer and Kunal look at each other and remember their disastrous kiss, and walk away.

Cast

Characters

  • Abhishek Bachchan as Sameer - Born and raised in London in a Sikh household, now in his early thirties, Sameer works in Miami, as a male nurse at Howard Medical Centre. A goofy kind of guy, who yet has the ability to charm his way into anybody's life. Sameer is the man with the plan. Plans that he seldom thinks through its consequences.
  • John Abraham as Kunal - Kunal is also a guy in his early thirties. Suave, confident, and good looking who has this brooding quality about him that makes girls swoon over him, which he plays to his full advantage. He's a fashion photographer who is pretty straight edged, responsible, and an organized man who has his life in order except for his residence permit as he is an illegal immigrant.
  • Priyanka Chopra as Neha - Neha is a 27 year old Sindhi woman. She is smart, gorgeous and stylish, working at a fashion magazine called Verve. Hard working and someone who loves her work, she longs to settle down and have a family. She is respectful, intelligent and also innocent which sometimes lands her into trouble.
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Crew

Soundtrack

Dostana
Dostana cover
Studio album by Vishal-Shekhar
Released
September 30, 2008
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Label Sony BMG
Producer Dharma Productions
Vishal-Shekhar chronology
Bachna Ae Haseeno
(2008)
Dostana
(2008)
Aladin
(2009)

The film's soundtrack is composed by Vishal-Shekhar. The soundtrack received generally positive reviews. Joginder Tuteja of IndiaFM stated that "Dostana is an excellent album from Vishal-Shekhar which does not carry a single number which doesn't work", giving the soundtrack 4 out of 5 stars. NDTV also gave the soundtrack 4 out of 5 stars stating that "that the soundtrack of the film will keep the cash registers ringing, with Shut Up and Bounce as an exception." Coincidentally most critics were in favour of every track apart from Shut Up and Bounce, which they described as a huge disappointment considering it carried the tune played during the first promo of Dostana. Some even said that it lacked originality and because of its familiar tune, comparisons were made between Shut Up and Bounce and Kal Ho Naa Ho's It's the Time to Disco. Another song "Maa da laadla" affirms that "Dostana" isn't just about soothing, pleasant numbers but also about celebration. Punjabi in flavour, the song has good beats and is sung by Saleem. The lyrics of the song, penned by Kumaar, are noteworthy. The track has a slight humorous essence as well. In contrast to IndiaFM and NDTV, Buzz18's Chandrima Pal gave the soundtrack 2.5 stars out of 5, stating that it "misses out on most of the spunk Vishal-Shekhar had in their previous works". Rediff's Sukanya Verma also gave the soundtrack 2.5 stars out of 5, stating that "although Dostana's music is nice and peppy for the most part, it's nothing extraordinary." She even said that Dostana "certainly wasn't the best from Dharma Productions". ApunKaChoice.com has given it 3 out of 5 stars saying that it features some of the nicest groovy numbers. The album met with an electrifying response from potential audiences however. According to the statistics published on IndiaFM, Dostana debuted at #4 on its Top Ten Soundtrack Sales Chart. Listeners registered on the website reviewed the album favourably and Dostana's music currently has an average rating of 3.94 stars out of 5.

Song Singer(s) Duration Picturised on
Jaane Kyun Vishal Dadlani 04:38 Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham & Priyanka Chopra
Desi Girl Shankar Mahadevan, Vishal Dadlani, Sunidhi Chauhan 05:07 Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra & Bobby Deol
Maa Da Laadla Saleem 04:05 Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra & Kiron Kher
Shut Up & Bounce Sunidhi Chauhan 04:37 Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham & Shilpa Shetty
Khabar Nahi Amanat Ali, Vishal Dadlani, Shreya Ghoshal 04:19 Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham Priyanka Chopra & Bobby Deol
Kuch Kum Shaan 05:41 Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra & Bobby Deol
Maa Da Laadla (Mummy Mix) Saleem, Sunidhi Chauhan 04:02 Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham & Priyanka Chopra

Response

Film opened with extremely well respone with grossing more than Rs. 50,00,00,000 in just two weeks.


Source: Wikipedia

Steve Dahl out at CBS' WJMK-FM

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Steve Dahl, a Chicago radio personality for more than 30 years whose broadcast style inspired a generation of voices, told his WJMK-FM 104.3 listeners that he was leaving the CBS Radio outlet after today's broadcast.

Dahl's announcement confirms longstanding rumors that he would become the latest top-paid CBS Radio Chicago host cut loose in recent months despite a contract that extends to mid-2011 said to be worth between $1 million and $3 million annually.

"This is our last show here," Dahl said.

Dahl, 54, has been a seminal figure in the radio business both as a solo performer and as part of a team over the years, including pairings with Garry Meier and Buzz Kilman, his most recent partner.

Seen as an influence on Howard Stern and others, Dahl was among the first to return radio, which had become a time-temperature-song medium, to something approaching theater of the mind. He did not have a classic old-school radio voice, but that was part of bringing a certain "reality" to the air, taking listeners into his world, his head and behind the scenes at the stations where he worked.

He complemented that with song parodies, a cast of characters he invented or impersonated and other comedy bits.

Even as he made his announcement, Dahl noted Pete Zimmerman, his technical producer, had failed to find an appropriate tape clip to segue out of a commercial break, mentioned producer Mary Van Daele was in tears, told Kilman he was still welcome to CBS Radio Chicago's Christmas party in Greektown next week and pointed out management wanted him to continue working for two more weeks before signing off.

"They were saying, 'Well, do a couple of weeks, a farewell.'" Dahl said. "I said, 'It's not a farewell. You guys are taking me off the air. I'm not retiring.' ... "I still have 2 1/2 years left on my deal so, quite frankly, I'm not letting them out of it."

After saying "Aloha" one last time, Dahl played Jimmy Webb's "If You See Me Getting Smaller, I'm Leaving."

That was followed by the pre-taped voice of various stations using the Jack FM format across the country, an announcer named Howard Cogan, who delivered an uncharacteristically sincere send-off to Dahl and his crew on behalf of station management before launching into "Life's Been Good to Me" by Dahl friend Joe Walsh.

"When they made Steve Dahl, they broke the mold," Cogan said. "So many DJs today copy so much of what Steve has done over the years. He stood out. He wasn't like all the others. So for right now, I'd like to just be real. My name is Howard and I'm the voice of Jack FM. I know this is a tough day for Buzz, Mary and the rest of Steve's staff.

"Steve, thanks for 30 years of great radio," he continued. "Thanks for blowing up all those records. A lot of good that did, though. Love FM still thinks they're cool. ... But most of all, thanks for being an inspiration to so many broadcasters all over the world."

The radio industry, like all of the media business, is in upheaval as the economic crisis puts a financial squeeze on it and its advertisers and digital technology has increasngly splintered the audience.

Additionally, Arbitron's move from diaries to eavesdropping Portable People Meters to measure radio ratings has seemed to favor some stations, formats, time slots and personalities while hurting others.

It didn't help Dahl that, in anticipation of the PPM switch, CBS Radio in late 2006 abandoned the FM talk format on what was WCKG-FM it had more or less built around him in favor of female-oriented music format.

Rather than accept the easy money of a buyout at that time, Dahl moved from afternoons to mornings as the sole non-music show on WJMK-FM, but he was a perfect fit neither for his new slot or station.

"It's not funny, but it is funny, I guess," Dahl said. "This new ratings system does not favor us. I personally know that a lot of people are listening. ... So it's kind of like being George Clooney and Marky Mark in 'The Perfect Storm' because you have no marketing, we change stations, change time slots ... an entirely different way of taking ratings which does not favor an intelligent show ... and a really bad economy."

"Like a giant wave coming at you," Kilman said.

Dahl's first station split in Chicago 30 years ago -- when the old WDAI-FM, which recruited him from Detroit, switched to a dance-music format -- inspired a long-running comedy bit on WLUP-FM 97.9 that would lift him to national prominence.

His "blowing up" of disco records on the air and Insane Coho Lips Anti-Disco Army rallies built to a crescendo with a 1979 "Disco Demolition" night at Chicago's Comiskey Park, which has become part of broadcasting and baseball lore.

Dahl was to actually explode disco records in the outfield between games of a Chicago White Sox doubleheader, but the stunt ignited the overflow crowd he helped attract. The fans stormed the field, tore up the grass and the Sox had to forfeit the night's unplayed second gam

CBS last month dropped WBBM-FM 96.3 morning men Eddie Volkman and Joe Bohannon, despite contracts that run into next summer worth around $1.5 million to each man annually. Mike North, another of its $1.5 million morning men, was unable to reach agreement on a new deal at CBS' WSCR-FM 670.

"It turns out that music gets better ratings than we do with this new ratings system, and guess what's cheaper. The music," Dahl said. "So this is our last show. Buzz and I will be off the air for a while. ... We have contracts. But everybody else who works on the show is available, and they're all good people."

Dahl, who writes an occasional column for the Chicago Tribune, said he can continue to "write for the paper, do some TV things and who knows what else" but he is prepared to stay off the radio for the remainder of his contract. Dahl suggested on the air that Kilman's contract runs into next year, but Kilman said he would be looking for work immediately.

The two discussed the pros and cons of working a massage therapists.

"The irony is, of course, this is the best I've ever sounded, we've ever sounded," he said. "I'm doing the best shows ever in my 30 years here. So go figure."

"Yikes," Kilman said.

"That'll look good in the paper, too," Dahl said. "Buzz Kilman said, ' Yikes.'"


Source: Chicago Tribune

Patrick Swayze denies reports he is near death

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"Dirty Dancing" star Patrick Swayze, who has pancreatic cancer, on Tuesday denied tabloid stories that he is near death.

Swayze, 56, said in a statement he was home with his family for the holidays after finishing work on his new television series "The Beast."

"The only thorn in my side being that many tabloids have been consistently reporting lies and false information about me and those close to me," Swayze said.

Lately, he said, "they're reporting that I'm on my last legs and saying goodbye to my tearful family."

The National Enquirer has reported Swayze's cancer spread to his liver. The Globe, another tabloid, placed the actor's photo on its cover with the headline "Swayze Deathbed Secret!"

Tabloid reports said Swayze had only weeks to live when the actor revealed in March he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Since then, he has started work on the FBI drama "The Beast".

"Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease and from the moment I was diagnosed, I knew I was in for the fight of my life," Swayze told People magazine.

"It's a battle, and so far, I've been winning. I'm one of the lucky few that responds well to treatment."

The Texas-born Swayze has starred in dozens of film, TV and stage roles. But he is best known for playing dance instructor Johnny Castle in the 1987 film "Dirty Dancing."


Source: Reuters

Beyoncé awakens her earthy side in 'Cadillac Records'

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In the new film "Cadillac Records," which tells the story of the pioneering Chicago blues label Chess Records, Beyoncé Knowles makes a memorable entrance.

Playing the singer Etta James, Knowles is introduced to the label's co-founder Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) in a hotel room, where she sprawls across the bed and snaps, "Don't be looking at me like I ain't wearing no drawers." She then curses at everyone and everything in sight before hiding in the bathroom, where she unleashes the voice that resulted in a long string of classic R&B hits for James.

It's startling to see Knowles — one of the few pop stars left with a wholesome, good-girl image — swaggering and swearing through her performance. But her mother, Tina, who vets all the scripts that are submitted to her, flagged this one as a keeper, noting that the hard-living, emotionally scarred James could be the role of a lifetime.

Knowles says that when she read the script: "I said, 'I have to do this movie,' but I was terrified. Was I really ready?"

The singer's most significant previous role was in 2006's "Dreamgirls," for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination. Even so, her study of the life of James and her work on the film not only resulted in new dramatic range, it also altered the direction of her new album, "I Am . . . Sasha Fierce," released last month.

There was certainly no guarantee that a woman who appeared on the cover of a
Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue could be convincing as the heroin-addicted daughter of a prostitute, whose powerhouse sound conveyed a lifetime of heartbreak and defiance in songs like "At Last" and "Tell Mama," incorporating a blues attitude into a wide range of pop genres.

"I was surprised at how much Beyoncé threw the glamour out the window so easily and so joyfully, and embraced the unattractiveness of being strung out," says Darnell Martin, the writer and director of the film, which opens Friday. Though the role was written with Knowles in mind, Martin says he was impressed by how far she pushed herself, physically and emotionally, into the darkest parts of James' life.

"She was really excited about getting that raw," he says. "She really wanted to dig in and get real."

The climax of "Cadillac Records" — with a disheveled Etta James saved from an overdose by Leonard Chess in her empty, ghostly house — makes for an impressive contrast with the Beyoncé who strides into an interview, talking quickly and smiling broadly.

Her new album marks an ambitious step for the Houston-born Knowles, who — as a solo artist (using only her first name) and as a member of the trio Destiny's Child — has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide. It's a double-disc set: One CD, "I Am," is a ballad-heavy set of relatively spare, introspective songs; the second disc, "Sasha Fierce," takes its name from her onstage alter ego and shifts focus to more up-tempo dance tracks.

In the middle of recording, Knowles signed on for "Cadillac Records." To research James' addiction, she spent some time with women staying in a Phoenix House facility in Brooklyn. She had only six days on set in New Jersey to shoot her scenes, so she began rehearsing with Brody before the filming.

"I didn't anticipate her being as emotionally present and connected with the role as she was," Brody says. "She had her game on track. I think this meant a lot to her."

Knowles says Martin and the other actors made her feel secure enough to delve into James' demons, allowing her to elevate her work beyond her own expectations. "For the first time, I was able to feel that out-of-body experience in a movie that I feel onstage," she says. She put on weight — 15 pounds — to match James' size and added a rougher physicality to her movements; she sings two songs associated with James with confidence and authority.

"Cadillac Records" takes its share of liberties with the chronology and the details of the Chess era — essentially writing Phil Chess, Leonard's brother and partner, out of the story — but strong performances (with Jeffrey Wright's stoic Muddy Waters at the center) capture the label's innovations and its legacy. As she learned the history of Chess Records — which added amplification and urban sophistication to the Delta blues on recordings by giants like Waters and Howlin' Wolf, and helped to usher in the rock 'n' roll era with artists who included Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley — Knowles said she felt an extra obligation to the project as a musician.

"I realized what an important story it was, especially for my generation," she says. "We don't know where rock 'n' roll came from, we don't know that the Beatles and the Rolling Stones got their inspiration from people like Muddy Waters and Little Walter."

Knowles didn't speak with James — who, at 70, is still touring — until after the film was completed.

"She's just the same; she's honest and no-nonsense," Knowles says. "And I know that in some interviews she was like, 'I don't know if she can play me.' But when I met her, she said, 'You are a bad girl.'

"And I know that's the ultimate compliment from her."

"Cadillac Records"

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  • Opening: Friday

  • Rating: R (for pervasive language and some sexuality).

  • Cast: Adrien Brody, Beyoncé, Jeffrey Wright, Gabrielle Union, Mos Def and Cedric the Entertainer.

  • Director-writer: Darnell Martin


Source: Mercury News

Christina Aguilera's sexy games

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Christina Aguilera says "playing board games" helps keep her marriage to Jordan Bratman alive.

The 27-year-old singer - who gave birth to Max, her first child with Jordan, in January - revealed the couple have frequent "date nights", and love competing against each other in a variety of games.

She said: "I have the most wonderful partner in Jordan. We make it a priority to work on our marriage. You have to take it seriously and respect each other and be a team.

"We always have date nights as well - it helps to keep the marriage alive after you have kids. My husband and I love to play board games together!"

Christina also revealed she is keen to extend her brood because she has found being a mother such a rewarding experience.

When asked if she had any plans for a sibling for Max, Christina replied to America's OK! magazine: "I hope so. We definitely want to have another child. Having Max has been an amazing experience. He surprises every day. In a year, he has grown so much, now he crawls and is starting to walk."

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Source: Monsters and Critics

Julia Roberts Is A Stinky Hippie

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When most people think of Julia Roberts, the first image that pops to mind is not "stinky hippie", but that's exactly the description an ex-bodyguard of the star says suits her.

"Julia is a total hippie," the bodyguard told Star. "She'll go days without showering."

She skips showering for a rather specific reason.

"She likes to save water -- she's really green."

Not only is she energy aware, she also enjoys the feeling of not being showered.

"She likes the smell of her natural oils," the bodyguard said. "She also says that she can't wash her hair too often because it's dry."

Fortunately for Roberts, the bodyguard says she's met a kindred spirit in husband Danny Moder.

"He doesn't care because he's just as much of a hippie," said the former employee. "Those two are the farthest thing away from Hollywood glamour. They're grunge all the way."

Source: Time of the Internet

Ewan McGregor Auctions Motorcycle For UNICEF

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McGregor – a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 – has donated his white Moto Guzzi California Vintage cycle to the charity to raise money for projects helping children around the world. The money raised from this auction will go to their Children’s Emergency Fund, which enables the organization to launch a response for children the moment a disaster strikes. Whether it is a flood, conflict or earthquake, UNICEF provides life-saving supplies such as health kits, food and shelter to children and families in need.

“It’s the first of its kind in this color and one of my favorite bikes,“ said the 37-year-old actor. “I collected this bike from the Moto Guzzi factory in Italy and rode it back to London. I’ve loved riding it ever since and I know that you will too. As a UNICEF Ambassador, I’ve been greatly privileged to visit a number of incredibly inspiring UNICEF projects and see the impact of its work on children and their families. You have the ability to help ensure that UNICEF continues its vital work protecting children when disasters occur. On behalf of UNICEF, thank you for your support.”

Earlier this year, McGregor joined Charley Boorman in a marathon motorcycle ride in Africa. The pair visited charity projects around the continent and raised over $621,000 at a charity dinner when they returned.

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Source: Look to the Stars

Edward Norton To Air A Documentary On Obama

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As the world stood up to witness history unfold while Obama won the elections, how can Hollywood stay far behind? Reportedly, Obama's every step was under close observation during his marathon campaign.

Hollywood star Edward Norton's documentary narrating US President elect Barack Obama's historic run to the White House will be aired early next year. The 'Fight Club' star has struck a deal with American network HBO to air the documentary in 2009.

Norton started working on the documentary early in 2006 and approached the Obama campaign to chronicle his entrance into the world of politics.

"Senator Obama's history-making race for the White House has given our film a perfect framework to explore the pulse of the country at this vital moment in our history," Contactmusic quoted Norton as telling the Hollywood Reporter.

The film's directors are Alicia Sams and Amy Rice, who have shot extensive footage of Obama in his role as Illinois' senator. They continued filming Obama's steps as he kicked off his presidential campaign in 2007.

Source: One India

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie Donate $100,000 to Children's Charity


Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's Jolie-Pitt Foundation donated $100,000 to Global Action for Children, it was reported Thursday.

"With the holiday season upon us, we hope the generous gift from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation inspires others to give and focus on assisting orphans and highly vulnerable children around the world," the charity's executive director, Jennifer Delaney, said in a statement. "Each and every donation can truly make a difference in the life of a child."

In 2006, the couple - who are parents to three adopted children - donated $1 million to the GAC. According to tax filings, they donated more than $8 million to various charities through their foundation that year.

"GAC is honored to receive a second grant from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, and we greatly appreciate the Jolie-Pitt Family's continued commitment to and support of our work," Delaney added.

Pitt was recently in New Orleans on behalf of his Make It Right Foundation, which raises money to build homes for families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.


Source: US Magazine

Jennifer Aniston's wet T-shirt look for desktop calendar

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The actress shows Brad Pitt and anyone else who cares to turn to the month of November that she knows how to be sexy and sensual and can strike a titallating pose just as good as Angelina Jolie, the woman Brad left her for.

Posing under a waterfall, the former Friends and Bruce Almighty poses in a dishevelled fine cotton T-shirt totally at odds with her careful almost prudish image. Her breasts are clearly visible as she tosses her head back.

In December, she also strikes a sexy pose, with her legs akimbo.

To see the calendar pictures, be warned they are raunchy, click here.

Jennifer also gives a candid interview to promote her new movie, Marley & Me, when she talks about being speculation that she is pregnant - with twins - to her boyfreind, John Mayer.

''Oh, my God, it's hysterical!'' she tells Entertianment Weekly.

''You can't do anything without it going to some extreme. It's almost going to take away the fun from actually being able to say one day, 'I'm pregnant!'

"Everyone will be like, 'Yeah, right.' It's the boy who cried wolf. Stop stealing my thunder, motherf%@#ers!''.

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Source: News
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