AC/DC DVD - Let There Be Free Stuff

October 13th, 2008 by Pete

Seems like only two things on this site motivate you people to leave a comment. One is Michael’s great Friday 5 column. The other is when I give away free shit.

This one is the latter.

I’m giving away a brand spankin’ new copy of AC/DC’s new DVD release ‘No Bull: The Director’s Cut‘. It’s a 1996 concert from a bullring in Madrid, Spain - Plaza De Toro De Las Ventas. I lived in Madrid when I was a kid, and I’m pretty sure I went to a bullfight there (about 21 years prior to this show). I’ll have to ask my mom.

I caught this on Palladium HD channel a few weeks back, and, well, it’s pretty sweet if you like to rock out with AC/DC once in a while, and really, who doesn’t?

So leave a comment below to throw your hat in the (bull)ring (*rimshot*).

You know how I love my haikus and my limericks in situations like this, but I’ll leave it up to you. Leave the typed equivalent of a belch if you want. Or maybe a link to a funny Family Guy episode. You decide.

The winner will be announced in a week. Good luck!

Check out the Trailer | Buy It

Posted in Giveaway, Rock | No Comments »

Last Day to Win James Brown Triple DVD and $50

August 18th, 2008 by Pete

So go on over here and get yer haiku on!

Back to Soul / Back to School - An Ickmusic Giveaway

Posted in Giveaway, Soul | No Comments »

Back to Soul / Back to School - An Ickmusic Giveaway

August 11th, 2008 by Pete

This may be the first and last time you will ever see the words “Avril Lavigne” or “Hayden Panetierre” ever mentioned here (at least by me). But today, these words will be uttered, and they’ll be uttered in the same space as the Godfather of Soul, James Brown!

Blasphemy? Perhaps.

It’s a double shot of giveaway goodness, people . Thanks to the good folks at Kohl’s and the Shout! Factory, these items are up for grabs to one lucky commenter.

  • I Got the Feelin’: James Brown in the 60’s - a deluxe, 3-DVD box set of a JB documentary and vintage performances.
  • A $50 gift card to Kohl’s.

And going against all of my instincts, I haven’t even opened the DVD set. I’ll force myself to Netflix it. So this is a pretty sweet deal if you ask me. And what do I ask of you? Well, read on after the jump…

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Giveaway, Soul | 19 Comments »

Givin’ It Away: ScarJo’s New CD

May 20th, 2008 by Pete

Hmm, I must think of creative way to give away a brand new copy of Scarlett Johansson’s new album, Anywhere I Lay My Head (looking at this picture, I have a very vivid idea of where I’d like to lay my head, but that’s neither here nor there). The album hit stores today (May 20). You scan still stream several of the tunes here.

We have a creative bunch hanging around here. We’ve done haikus, and we’ve done limericks. For this contest, I think we’ll open it up to some freestyle poetry slammin’. In the Comments section, hit us with a haiku, or hit us with a limerick, or impress us with some obscure poetic stylings. Keep it simple, or get into it, it’s up to you.

The topic? Why, Scarlett, of course. You can wax poetic about her films, her music career, her decision to dive into the Tom Waits song book, and/or, of course, her beauty. All I ask is that you keep it clean. If you’re going to bust a haiku about Scarlett’s elevator encounter with Benicio Del Toro, well, you’re just gonna have to keep it classy. Because we all know elevator sex is classy.

One submission per person. I’ll pick a winner later in the week.

Good luck!

Scarlett’s Official Web Site

Click to buy the album…

Scarlett’s MySpace…

Posted in Giveaway | 8 Comments »

Ickmusic Giveaway: New Joshua Tree Deluxe Edition

November 28th, 2007 by Pete

I’m about to make a U2 fan - or the U2 fan in someone’s life - very happy. I have a fresh copy of the newly remastered Joshua Tree album. But not only that. This is the deluxe edition, baby, and includes a second CD of B-sides and demos from the original sessions. It’s got a beautiful hard cover booklet to go with it - and I can’t quite figure out why I’m not greedily grasping on to it, but I’m givin’ it away. Must be the Christmas spirit. It’s certainly not due to the dismal amount of comments I’ve been receiving around here lately - you slackers.

So as exhibited in a giveaway of yore - we honor U2’s roots and return to the Irish limerick contest. This one has to be good. Here are some groundrules:

  • Leave a Comment below with your limerick. Be sure to include your email address (no one else can see it).
  • It has to at least loosely adhere to the rules of a limerick. A rhyming scheme of AABBA. Here’s the Wikipedia entry on limericks. Or follow the steps here.
  • It has to mention a member of U2: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, or Larry Mullen.
  • Bonus points for working in a lyric or song name.
  • UPDATED: I’ll allow 2 entries per person if you’re inspired…
  • I’ll pick my favorite from the Comments in a week or so.

Leave ‘em in the comments below and let her rip! Good luck!

Now for some assorted U2 goodness…

Find out more about the new Joshua Tree release after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Giveaway, Rock | 27 Comments »

Ickmusic Giveaway: Miles Davis Quintet on Monterey Jazz Festival Records

August 21st, 2007 by Pete

It’s a giveaway frenzy here lately, so I have no choice but to once again bestow quality goods upon you people. The latest item will make any jazz fan happy. Even those who aren’t into jazz know a cool motherf**er when they see one, and Miles Davis was just that.

Well the Monterey Jazz Festival has launched their own label, aptly named Monterey Jazz Festival Records, and their first wave of CD’s were released today. They launched into their live archives, and are debuting with releases from Sarah Vaughan, Thelonius Monk, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles. Future releases will also feature contemporary artists, projects and special events recorded at the festival.

So leave a comment down below, folks, and have your chance to win this CD. Did anyone out there ever have the honor to see Miles play live? What’s your favorite Miles Davis album? Are you down with electric Miles?

Speaking of cool mofos, check out his quintet circa 1963: Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, George Coleman. Sheesh…

Miles Davis Quintet - Live at the 1963 Monterey Jazz Festival

(September 20, 1963)

Miles Davis - trumpet
George Coleman - tenor sax
Herbie Hancock - piano
Ron Carter - bass
Tony Williams - drums

1. Waiting for Miles
2. Autumn Leaves (streaming Quicktime)
3. So What
4. Stella by Starlight
5. Walkin’
6. The Theme

Some other streaming goodies:

Louis Armstrong - Mack the Knife
Thelonius Monk - Rhythm-a-Ning
Dizzy Gillespie - Poor Joe
Sarah Vaughan - Round Midnight

Monterey Jazz Festival Records: Official Site | MySpace

Visit Concord Music Group’s Online Store to purchase.

Good luck!

Posted in Giveaway, Jazz | 16 Comments »

Ickmusic Giveaway: Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars DVD

August 18th, 2007 by Pete

My wife and I just got done watching the newly released DVD Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. As far as the horrifying subject matter that forms the backdrop of this documentary - which is the decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone - I feel much the way I felt after watching Hotel Rwanda: enraged and ashamed at the atrocities that occur, yet filled with awe and admiration for the people who rise above it all to help others. In Hotel Rwanda, it was Paul Rusesabagina who sheltered and ultimately saved over a thousand fellow Rwandans in his Kigali hotel, the Hôtel des Mille Collines. In this inspiring DVD, it’s Reuben Koroma, “Franco” Langba, “Black Nature”, and their fellow members of Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars who use the power of music to overcome their traumatic pasts, and to help others through theirs as well.

The film follows the All Stars from the refugee camps of Guinea - where thousands of Sierra Leone’s people fled to escape the violence in their home country - to their return to Sierra Leone in 2004. There, they recorded an album, and have since toured the world. They are in the midst of a U.S. tour as we speak, so do yourself a big favor and rent/buy this DVD, buy their album, and go see them live if they’re coming to your area. My wife and I will be seeing them here in Scottsdale on February 17th.

Here’s the trailer on YouTube. You can view higher quality trailers on this Quicktime link or this Windows Media Player link.

GIVEAWAY: To celebrate the August 14th release of this amazing film, I have a copy of the DVD available to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment below to be entered. I’ll pick out a winner in a few days.

Now for some important links:

Posted in Giveaway, World | 8 Comments »

Ickmusic Giveaway: Elvis!

August 8th, 2007 by Pete

August 16th will mark the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. I am an Elvis fan.

Examples of my dedication to the King:

  • If an Elvis movie is located while flipping the channels, normal day to day life is put on hold until the last of the credits roll. It doesn’t matter if it’s Clambake, King Creole, or Roustabout.
  • The summer of 1989 included a pilgrimage to Graceland with my buddy Mark.
  • I sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” to my new bride at our 2003 wedding with my brother on guitar.
  • I also sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” with a full band as best man for my buddy Derek. It was an impromptu performance. I had hit the open bar juuust a bit too hard prior to my toast, and before I knew it, there I was, frozen in front of 500 people with not a coherent phrase in my head. Lucky for me, there was a band behind me. I turned around, asked the guys if they knew any Elvis, and they launched into “Can’t Help..” I went from the tipsy, embarrassed best man to matinée idol in a matter of minutes. My shining moment!

Elvis’s music has always connected with me. His last years were a tragedy for sure, but behind the troubled “Vegas Elvis”, underneath the uppers and the downers, was the same Elvis - a warm and compassionate spirit.

So on to the giveaway. On July 31st, Sony BMG released Elvis: Viva Las Vegas, which is a CD collection that “features music from and is inspired by the ABC television special ELVIS: VIVA LAS VEGAS - the visual chronicle of Elvis’s life during the Vegas years with particular focus on his music, his ground-breaking style and his legacy.” The ABC special will air on September 18th at 9pm EST.

Leave a comment below if you’d like a chance to win the CD. I’ll pick one in a few days.

Here are a couple of tracks that Sony is streaming…

Elvis Presley - See See Rider (Quicktime) | Viva Las Vegas (Quicktime)

For a special treat, listen to this performance of “Are You Lonesome Tonight” (not included on the CD). It’s the infamous “laughing version.” It starts off innocent enough, but as soon as Elvis sings “Do you stare at your bald head, and wish you had hair?”, well, all bets are off, and he basically loses his shit. It’s great!

Buy Elvis: Viva Las Vegas

Elvis’s Official Site.

August 11-18 is Elvis Week in Memphis.

LONG LIVE THE KING!!

Elvis: Viva Las Vegas Track Listing

1)  Viva Las Vegas
2)  See See Rider
3)  The Wonder Of You
4)  Polk Salad Annie
5)  Release Me
6)  Let It Be Me
7)  I Just Can’t Help Believin’
8)  Walk A Mile In My Shoes
9)  Bridge Over Troubled Water
10)  Patch It Up
11)  You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
12)  You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling
13)  An American Trilogy
14)  Never Been To Spain
15)  You Gave Me A Mountain
16)  The Impossible Dream

Posted in Giveaway | 13 Comments »

Ickmusic Giveaway: New Crowded House

July 26th, 2007 by Pete

Any Crowded House fans out there? It’s time for a giveaway, and this time it’s the new release from Australia’s Crowded House, who, after an 11-year hiatus, are back with the new album and a full tour. Once again, a great band I would go see skips Phoenix on their itinerary. Luckily I’ll catch them at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in September.

I can’t count myself as a huge fan of Crowded House, but I did buy Temple of Low Men on vinyl back in the day (1988), and I think “Better Be Home Soon” is one of the finer songs to pass through these ears. The original lineup was Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, and Paul Hester. Sadly, Hester took his own life in March 2005. You parents of young children would also recognize Hester as the chef on The Wiggles. You know, the one that sang along with them on “Fruit Salad’”? That was Paul.

The new album, Time on Earth, was released on July 2nd. I’ve had a few listens and am enjoying it thus far. You can check out some of the tracks at their MySpace page.

So as is the norm around these parts, leave a comment below to enter into the CD giveaway. Anyone gonna check them out on tour?

Crowded House’s Official Site | MySpace

Check out video of their Live Earth performance over at Krup’s Place.

Posted in Giveaway, Rock | 18 Comments »

Ickmusic Giveaway: Memory Almost Full

July 5th, 2007 by Pete

Let’s give one away, eh mates?

In my inherently lazy way, I’ve been sitting on a copy of Paul McCartney’s new CD, Memory Almost Full, for a good month now. High time I give it away to one of you fine folks, yeah?

You know, I’m one of those people who reveres the Beatles as one of the most important, inflential, and best bands of all time. Yeah, I know tastes in music are subjective, but I always felt like most people agreed. And maybe they do. But I work with a couple of guys who sure don’t. One of them, I’ll call him Jim (’cause that’s his name) likens the Beatles to the origin of crappy teen pop. He tells me the Beatles are the reason Britney Spears exists. He has never, does not, and allegedly will never like the Beatles.

When I was in college, my neighbor one door down was a Beatles fanatic. He told me and a few of my friends one time: “Anyone who doesn’t like the Beatles is in a state of denial.” We all laughed, and made a little fun of the comment later. But looking back, he was right! I mean, how can a human being not like the Beatles after listening to Abbey Road? Or The White Album? Or Meet The Beatles!?

So back to the giveaway. It’s an easy entry once again. You leave a comment below, and you’re in the running. I’m assuming those entering are fans of the Beatles (or massive Wings fans? who knows). Do you have anti-Beatles people in your life? Do you struggle to understand them? Is it worth trying to convert them?

Ok, Jim, give me your side of the story. How did you grow into adult form without an appreciation for the Beatles?

Jewel Case Disclaimer: the original jewel case that the CD came in has been systematically dismantled and rendered inoperable by my 15 month old daughter. Another jewel case will be provided. Jeez, this girl and my CDs!

Posted in BritPop, Giveaway | 30 Comments »

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