Corny Explains the News

So that's why Mariah Carey sued that porn star...

As previously reported, Mariah Carey took legal action back in December to protect her assets.

Zevon

Standing here in the studio on Warren Zevon Day, I'm reminded of just how good a songwriter he was. And quite simply, it sucks that he's gone.

Enjoy every sandwich, people. And go to the doctor every now and again, too.

WFUV's Rita Houston has something to say about "My Dear Country"

There's a song on the new Norah Jones album that has really caught my ear... here's the lyrics:

"My Dear Country"

'Twas Halloween and the ghosts were out,
And everywhere they'd go, they shout,
And though I covered my eyes I knew,
They'd go away.

But fear's the only thing I saw,
And three days later 'twas clear to all,
That nothing is as scary as election day.

But the day after is darker,
And darker and darker it goes,
Who knows, maybe the plans will change,
Who knows, maybe he's not deranged.

The news men know what they know, but they,
Know even less than what they say,
And I don't know who I can trust,
For they come what may.

'cause we believed in our candidate,
But even more it's the one we hate,
I needed someone I could shake,
On election day.

But the day after is darker,
And deeper and deeper we go,
Who knows, maybe it's all a dream,
Who knows if I'll wake up and scream.

I love the things that you've given me,
I cherish you my dear country,
But sometimes I don't understand,
The way we play.

I love the things that you've given me,
And most of all that I am free,
To have a song that I can sing,
On election day.

--Norah Jones from 'Not Too Late'

More Bad News for Satellite Radio

Judge Rules Against XM in Suit by Record Labels

A judge has ruled against XM Satellite Radio, denying the satcater's motion to dismiss a suit brought by record labels. The suit claims that the "XM + MP3" Inno satellite receivers which allow listeners to store songs from broadcasts infringe on the labels' rights to the recordings. XM claims that the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992 protects them, because it allows individuals to record music off the radio for their own usage. U.S. District Judge Deborah Batts did not buy that argument and said that the labels license their music to XM only for airplay. She added that by allowing listeners to store songs heard on the satcaster, XM is acting as both as a broadcaster and a music distributor, when it is only licensed to be the former.

Judge Batts also did not buy XM's comparison of its new technology to a cassette deck recorder, stating, "It is manifestly apparent that the use of a radio-cassette player to record songs played over free radio does not threaten the market for copyrighted works as does the use of a recorder which stores songs from private radio broadcasts on a subscription fee basis." [FMQB]

Hey Beckheads! (Or Information about The Information)

Beck will release a deluxe edition of 2006's The Information on February 27. The expanded version will add three bonus songs, six remixes, a lyrics book, all four sticker sheets and even more videos than were included with the original release.

Now, if you haven't gotten this album yet, you might wanna hold off for the deluxe edition. I mean, you get all four sticker sheets! Seriously, you'll entertain yourself for HOURS with that.

If you don't know what the stickers are all about, here's the deal. The album cover is a blank canvas. A sticker booklet is provided with each CD so one could create their own album art, back cover, CD insert, disc design, etc. The possibilities are endless!

Don't believe me? Here in the office we spent half an hour just trying to find just the right sticker for the disc itself. No kidding.

Have fun! And post your work. Here's one we did. Creative design by Ben Jones, engineer NuJo Grimaldi and Russ Borris...

Patti Smith sez:

some good words from patti smith
*******************************

greetings

The last ten days or so I have been the lucky
recipient of a lot of well wishing. For my 60th
birthday, New Years and for being an inductee
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2007.

I have to say it has been really nice
greeting the dawn picking the same old clothes
and used up socks off the floor and stumbling into the world
in search of coffee, encountering friends, neighbors
and passerby all with a kind and encouraging word.
So I want to thank everybody as well as send out a few
encouraging words myself. A new year begins and it
gives us an opportunity to reassess ourselves, physically,
emotionally and spiritually. There is no reason at all
why each of can't take stock of ourselves and better
our situation. For instance just simple things like
eliminating fast foods, soft drinks and excessive salt
is a start. Drinking more water. Getting one's teeth cleaned.
Saying a simple thank you or grace before eating.
Going through our possessions and letting go of what
we really don't want or need. If one has vices and can't
give them up, just cut down.

Start with the small things and as you feel better about
accomplishing them, add more challenging things. It's
an elemental concept but sound. Sometimes we ask
so much of ourselves that we feel defeated before we begin.
Don't defeat yourself. We are lucky to be alive. I always
think of the Jimi Hendrix line "Hooray I wake from yesterday".
Just being alive is a gift. We can build on that thought
every day.

Well, happy new year. And thanks everybody. I am going to
take my own advice and change my socks.
all good wishes.

patti smith

Claudia asks: What's on Jonathan Demme's iPod??

The fare at the multi-plex sounds dismal, so I wanted to share a little gem of a rental I came across last week.

It's a raggedy but passionate movie called "The Agronomist".
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377031/
It is not a documentary about agriculture (!) but an eye-opening look at Haiti and the political turmoil and suffering caused by dictators and meddling U.S. goverment... er... meddlers. It is a true story of a beautiful land (in our own backyard!) centered around the Haitian activist and broadcaster, Jean Dominique. Sounds like steep stuff but it's a rich and rewarding journey.

I got interested in the movie while doing research for my interview last year with filmmaker Jonathan Demme about "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" (see the archives at wfuv.org) As in that movie, Demme's love of music beautifully informs "The Agronomist." What I wouldn't give to get my hands on HIS Ipod!!

I'll never feel quite the same about a Carribean vacation. And if you haven't heard about the amazing activism of Wyclef Jean, (http://www.yele.org/) check that out AND this film, too!

Let me know what you think: claudiamarshall@wfuv.org

New wfuv.org web site

Hi folks,
We've revamped the wfuv.org web site. It's easier to get around and more attractive to boot. You can also bookmark individual pages, finally. Check it out and let us know what you think!
- Laura Fedele, WFUV Web Director
http://www.wfuv.org/

The holidays are over (by Darren DeVivo)

The holidays are over. I hate when the holidays end. I love Christmas and New Years time. The lights, the decorations, the music. It's a special vibe, a glow, that takes over everyday life and makes it all a little happier. There's a coziness, too. Around the DeVivo house, it's colored lights, two trees, candles and decorations. The front yard has a multi colored glow. And of course, there's the music. (I was going to post my thoughts on my favorite Christmas music a few weeks back, but that never happened. Maybe later this year!) As George Harrison said, "All things must pass." So, we now set our sights to the quiet, cold, relatively slow winter months of January and February. Oh yeah, all the decorations have to get packed up, too!!

During Christmas / New Years week, the DeVivo's caught the movie "Night At The Museum" starring Ben Stiller. It was a lot of fun, much better than the reviews. It was a flawed movie, sure, but it still was clever and had many laughs. It gets 3 1/2 stars (on a scale of 0-5)! Great seeing Mickey Rooney (who is a riot in the film) and Dick Van Dyke, too. Although these stage shows have now closed with the passing of the holiday season, we also enjoyed seeing "Annie" at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden and "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" early in December at the Hilton Theatre. Actually, "The Grinch..." is still running until this Sunday, January 7.

Darren DeVivo
1/2/07

Welcome to 2007 and J - E - T - S! (by Darren DeVivo)

First off...I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Welcome to 2007! Man, 2007...where are the years going?! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season. I always hate when the holidays are over, and this year is no different.

Second...I am thrilled about the New York Jets!!! For those who don't follow football, the Jets finished the 2006 regular season yesterday with a convincing 23-3 win over the Oakland Raiders, the NFL's worst team. With the win, the Jets finished the year with a 10-6 record and qualified for the playoffs as the first of two wildcard teams out of the AFC. This is pretty significant because nobody expected much from this Jets team. Last year, they finished with a 4-12 record, and this year, I was expecting more of the same. But, first year coach Eric Mangini led the way, and along with quarterback Chad Pennington, who had the healthiest and best year of his career, they accomplished something nobody expected - a winning year and a playoff berth! So, 2007 will begin in exciting fashion for the green and white - a first round playoff battle with their hated rivals, the New England Patriots, on Sunday, January 7 at 1PM in Foxboro, Massachusetts. It's going to be a tough game for the Jets, they are big underdogs, but I'm all suited up and ready!!! Okay, chant along with me...
J - E - T - S! Jets! Jets! Jets!

Darren DeVivo
1/1/07