Tuesday, December 21, 2010

All You Need Is Now --

-- is finally here! Well, most of it but it is AMAZING! This iTunes only, partial album release has already sky rocketed to number one on the iTunes download charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Italy.  And it is number three in Japan.  All of this on the first day of the albums release.  Like I said, amazing.

The tracks on this - the 13th studio release by Duran Duran - are a wonderful mix of modern technological sound and classic Duran Duran.  The tracks releases today are as follows:

1. All You Need Is Now
2. Blame the Machines
3. Being Followed
4. Leave a Light On
5.Safe
6. Girl Panic
7. The Man Who Stole a Leopard
8. Runway Runaway
9. Before the Rain

So far, my favorite track is 'Leave a Light On'.  It is so incredibly beautiful.  The full length CD and vinyl versions of All You Need Is Now are due to be released February 2011.  I am really looking forward to hearing the rest of this outstanding album.  I am also really, really hoping for a tour.  I'm fairly certain one is on the horizon.

Friday, December 17, 2010

All You Need Is Now - Live on Loose Women

I have to admit that I laughed at the title of the show - 'Loose Women'.  It's a show in England that I am assuming is simialar to 'The View' in the United States.  Regardless, here is All You Need Is Now live (for the first time, I believe) - done December 17, 2010.  To say I love it is a huge understaement.  I've watched it a number of times already.  And my kids love it, too.  My little Duranies are so adorable!

Click the below link to enjoy the video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAjnJ1S58Ho&feature=player_embedded

Monday, December 6, 2010

All You Need Is Now - Single

The single for All You Need Is Now - the title track from Duran Duran's forthcoming album - is being released this Wednesday - December 8, 2010.  Why am I so very excited about this fact? Well, other than the simple fact that it's a new song from my beloved band - it is also being released six days sooner than originally stated.  This makes me so, so happy! And I know that this little bit of great news makes other Duran Duran fans ecstatic, as well.

As far as I know at this time - the iTunes downloads for the album are still coming out on December 21, 2010.  With the CD and vinyl versions (yes, I will buy those, too) to come in February 2011.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

New Single! New Album!

I have had a crazy and crappy couple of weeks.  So this news makes me very, very happy! Taken straight from the official Duran Duran website.  The first single from their 13th studio album is the title track - 'All You Need is Now'.  To be released worlwide to the iTunes store on December 14, 2010.

Here is the full release - with some track titles at the end of it.

Duran Duran Announce Their Stunning New Single “All You Need Is Now.” Available Worldwide Exclusively Via The iTunes Store December 14th, 2010

Taken From Their Much Anticipated 13th Studio Album “ALL YOU NEED IS NOW” Produced by Mark Ronson

9-Track Digital LP To Be Released December 21st Exclusively On The ITunes Store

Extended Physical Release On CD & Vinyl With Extra Tracks To Be Released February 2011

November 11th – London England: The four original members of DURAN DURAN: John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon – have today announced the global release of their much anticipated 13th studio album, entitled “ALL YOU NEED IS NOW ”. The 9-track digital LP is due out exclusively on the iTunes Store on December 21st, while the expanded physical album and various format special packages will be released in February 2011.

The first single from the record, title track “All You Need Is Now,” will be available worldwide on December 14th exclusively on the iTunes Store.

Produced by the Grammy Award-winning Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Adele, Kaiser Chiefs, Lily Allen) and mixed by Spike Stent (Madonna, Bjork, No Doubt), “ALL YOU NEED IS NOW” is a return-to-roots homage to DURAN DURAN’S most celebrated musical panache.

With a phenomenal career that has spanned three decades, and record sales of more than 80 million, DURAN DURAN certainly has a storied history, but this new tale begins back in 2008. As part of a year-long run, they headlined festivals in a number of countries, playing arenas in others, and become the first group ever to perform at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Two nights later, in the same city, Duran Duran treated fans to a specially created “mega-mix” one-hour set that was filmed in a tiny theatre, with long-time-fan, Mark Ronson. This rare live performance immediately proved that there was a powerful chemistry between Ronson and the band, and within just a few weeks, a much larger collaboration had developed, with Mark committing to produce the band’s 13th studio album. Starting out in the late Spring of 2009, at Sphere Studios in London, this much-anticipated Duran/Ronson union flourished, as writing and recording began on an exciting new body of work, which Ronson has boldly stated is the “imaginary follow up to Rio that never was.”

With this newfound partnership, the band was energized and excited by the music they were creating. The result is nothing short of pure Duran Duran brilliance harking back to their classic signature sound which spawned hit record after hit record. The album features guest vocals/rap from longtime Duran Duran pal/collaborator Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters while Owen Pallett of Arcade Fire contributes the album’s string arrangements.

Always at the forefront of the art scene, the band enlisted the talents of up-and-coming British artist Clunie Reid for the album artwork and packaging. Reid’s work has been recently exhibited at leading UK and US spaces, including the Saatchi Gallery, the Tate and the New Museum in New York. British fashion magazine POP’s creative team will provide graphics and art direction for the project.

Before the band embarks on their Spring 2011 world tour to promote the album, they will head to South Africa on December 7th for a 5-date concert series, marking the first time in seventeen years that the band has played in Africa.

The stats on DURAN DURAN are remarkable: a total of over 80 million records sold, 18 American hit singles, 30 UK chart hits and a global presence that guarantees them huge arena and stadium concert audiences on five continents.

More remarkable still is the way they have achieved this, fusing pop music with art, fashion and technology. When they first broke in the early 1980s, Duran Duran single-handedly transformed music videos from a gimmicky marketing tool into one of the music industry’s most valued assets. With exotic locations, beautiful girls and stunning special effects, Duran Duran took the visual imperatives of the New Romantic movement to another level, defining the MTV generation and building a loyal army of fans who have stayed with them to this day.

Now a seemingly unstoppable force, with no fewer than five prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards under their belt from MTV VMA’s, the Brit Awards, the Ivor Novellos, the Spanish Ondas and Q Magazine, the four original members of Duran Duran are in a category with only a handful of other internationally acclaimed artists.

As this new chapter begins, they have nothing left to prove, but everything to play for. So for them…All You Need Is Now!

Digital LP track listing in full:

1. All You Need Is Now
2. Blame The Machines

3. Being Followed

4. Leave A Light On

5. Safe 

6. Girl Panic

7. The Man Who Stole A Leopard

8. Runway Runaway

9. Before the Rain

*A 12-track physical package will be available for purchase on CD and Vinyl with special deluxe options in February 2011.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Happy Birthday Simon

Happy Birthday Simon le Bon! According to him, he's 25, but I'm certain he inverted the numbers.  LOL I know it's his birthday but I wonder if we Duran Duran fans might be given another sample of the new Duran Duran album in celebration.  Sigh.  A girl can wish, right?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Simon le Blogs

That little title (which I did get from their site) just makes me laugh.  It's so silly but appropriate for his personality.  I've read the first couple of posts about the trip and they are very interesting.  If you enjoy travel and learning about other cultures - you'll enjoy the posts.

Simon has embarked on a trip to India and has agreed to keep a “road diary” for DD.com. Check back to the site for his latest updates.

Read his first installments here.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Updated Behind the Music

Vh1 Classic’s Behind The Music: Remastered returns this month with new episodes featuring Duran Duran, Poison, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, Green Day and more.

The new season kicks off on Saturday, October 16 at 9 PM and according to the announcement the series picks up where “Behind The Music,” left off with brand new interviews, footage, and video clips that update the stories of several classic artists over the last 10 to 15 years.

Starting October 16 at 9 PM*, VH1 Classic will air nine new one-hour episodes of “Behind the Music Remastered” featuring some of classic rocks’ seminal artists and bands.

Complete lineup below.
10/16 – Poison
10/23 – Leif Garrett
10/30 – Alice Cooper
11/06 – Boy George
11/13 – Hall & Oates
11/20 – Duran Duran
11/27 – Lynyrd Skynyrd
12/04 – Fleetwood Mac
12/11 – Green Day

I got this info from the official Duran Duran website.  And yes, i know I've been awful about updating this blog.  So much for 'Daily'.  I'm going to try and improve this, though.  Maybe it won't be daily for the time being but hopefully two or three times a week. 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

All You Need Is Now

According to their official site the new Duran Duran album is nearly complete! Of course, the news makes this fan extremely happy.  As of now, the name of the new album is All You Need Is Now.  There is the disclaimer that the name might change but I, personally, doubt it.  Why would they release any sort of name if they weren't pretty darn certain about it?

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Duran Duran to Tour in S. Africa - First Time in 17 Years

DURAN DURAN – LIVE IN SA – TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER !!
A Hunta Live Production
7 December – 12 December 2010

DATES MARK FIRST SOUTH AFRICA SHOWS IN 17 YEARS!

(South Africa – 25 September 2010) – Original band members – Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor – return this December for their highly anticipated 5-date tour, kicking off at the ICC in Durban on the 7th, before heading to The Big Top at Carnival City in Johannesburg on the 8th and 9th, and finally the Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town on the 11th and 12th of December 2010.

This outing marks the band’s first in this part of the world in seventeen years and the start of an enormous global campaign around the release of their next studio album, which they have been working on for the past eighteen months with super-star producer, Mark Ronson.

The flamboyant group DURAN DURAN sound better today than they did when they first exploded onto the scene in the UK and rapidly became the biggest band in the world with a string of hits including “Planet Earth”, “Rio”, “Hungry Like The Wolf”, “Save a Prayer”, “Wild Boys” and “A View To A Kill”.

“Duran Duran last played in South Africa in 1993 and was one of the first international bands to perform here after the end of apartheid. Now, 17 years later, we are thrilled to bring one of the most popular bands of all time back to our shores in what will musically and visually be one of the greatest tours this country has ever seen”, says Sam Hendrikse, CEO of Hunta Live.

With their unique fusion of pop music, art and fashion, DURAN DURAN remains an unstoppable force, three decades after their inception. Their fan-base spans five continents and two generations, and their records have sold in excess of 85 million globally. The band has also been honoured with numerous “Lifetime Achievement” Awards, Grammys, Ivor Novello and MTV awards amongst others, and even has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

Their eponymous 1981 debut album, spawning the giant hit single ‘Planet Earth,’ stayed on the charts for an astonishing 118 weeks and classic chart-toppers such as ‘Hungry Like the Wolf,’ ‘Rio’ and ‘Save A Prayer’ soon turned Duran’s second album ‘Rio’ multi-platinum worldwide. ‘Is There Something I Should Know’ went straight to #1 in the UK and hit #4 in the US. The band’s third album, 1984’s ‘Seven and the Ragged Tiger’ earned DURAN DURAN their first Stateside #1, with ‘The Reflex.’ Their smash hit “A View to a Kill’ went on to become the only Bond theme tune to this day to make it to #1 on the Billboard charts! Their next few albums included the hit singles ‘Notorious’, which was subsequently sampled by P.Diddy in his tribute to Notorious BIG, ‘Ordinary World’, ‘Come Undone’, ‘(Reach Up For The) Sunrise’ and ‘Falling Down’.

Their last studio album, “Red Carpet Massacre,” saw the current line-up of original members collaborating with top producers Timbaland and Nate ‘Danja’ Hills, as well as long-time fan Justin Timberlake. A global tour followed at the end of which they went back into the studio to start work on their next record with Grammy Award-winning producer Mark Ronson. This new body of work is set for release shortly after their upcoming South African tour!

With their melodically bright dance-inducing rhythms and experimental electronics DURAN DURAN has the world spinning perpetually to music fuelled by creativity and passion. Get your tickets now for one of the most extraordinary evenings this decade and see why the ‘Wild Boys’ still continue to influence and define today’s music scene.

TOUR ITINERARY DECEMBER 2010
Tues 7 December: – ICC, Durban
Wed 8 & Thurs 9 December: – The Big Top, Carnival City, Johannesburg
Sat 11 & Sun 12 December: – The Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town
Tickets are available September 28th from Computicket on 083 915 8000, www.computicket.com and outlets countrywide.

Members of Duran Duran’s Fan Community will have access to special tickets and VIP ticket packages starting Mon 27 September at 4pm SAST (10am EST). For purchase information, go to http://www.duranduranmusic.com./

Yes, I got this piece straight from the official Duran Duran website.  No, I'm not trying to do anything shady.  As I've said in previous posts - I'm just spreading the Duran Duran love and news!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Playlist

At the official Duran Duran website they have a section called jukebox under their music tab.  They update it every so often and have done so recently.  What's so wonderful about this? Quite simply, that it is a playlist made up entirely of Duran Duran songs.  And more often than not - it's a mix of their songs that I wouldn't necessarily think to put together.  it's quite fun.  To listen to the latest Duran jukebox selections, go here.  Enjoy.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Roger Taylor's Album Update



This is a lovely video that was done last month.  Roger gives an update on the recording of the latest Duran album.  It's quite funny, especially the bit with windchimes.  Enjoy.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

The Chauffeur



Another modern performance of a classic Duran Duran song.  The Chauffeur originally appeared on the album Rio.  I remember being shocked by the video but still so in love with the song. 

I also remember my English teacher asking my class if anyone knew how to spell the word chauffeur.  Only a handful of the students knew the correct spelling.  Yes, we were all Duran Duran fans.  LOL I don't know why I still recall that but I do.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

What Is It Like Working With Duran Duran?

Mark Ronson answers the very question here.  This is on CNN and they offer nothing obvious to share the video.  So, I'm linking you to it because it's a video worth watching.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

John Taylor to Host ---

--- This is the Day on First Wave.

If you’re lucky enough to have Sirius/XM, listen for John the week of September 13th at 3pm EST/12pm PST as he will be guest hosting “This is the Day” during Richard Blade’s show on First Wave.

John invited Richard over to his home to play him some new DD tracks and Richard couldn’t resist getting John on the air.

First Wave is on Sirius Channel 22 and XM Channel 44.

Yes, I lifted this from duranduran.com.  As always, I'm not trying to cause harm - just spread the love.  By the way, I'm so stinking jealous (yes, I'm admitting it) that Richard Blade has heard tracks from the new DD album.  So. Stinking. Jealous. 

Monday, September 6, 2010

Boys Keep Swinging

The David Bowie tribute album - which features Boys Keep Swinging by Duran Duran - is available on iTunes and Amazon.  There are links for both sites but I'm not including them as I'm not certain if it's legal for me to do so.  I just wanted to metion that the album, and the individual song on iTunes, are available for purchase.  At least in America.  I think the U.K. release date is indeed September 13th.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Hungry Like the Wolf



In my mind this is a classic song and video.  It feels weird to me that a song that was new when I was a teenager is now a classic.  Oh well, at least it has stood the test of time.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Ordinary World



Oh, Ordinary World.  How I love this song.  I remember the first time I heard it, I was beyond giddy because it was the first release from the long anticipated 'Wedding Album'.  There is a theme with Duran Duran in waiting rather large chunks of time between their albums.  Fortunately the wait is always (well, with one unnamed exception) worth it.  Anyway, I was super excited to hear the song and then cried during it.  To this day (17 1/2 years later, wow!) I still get emotional over this song.  It just really touches me.

As for the video - I'd love to know the outdoor location of the shoot.  It looks like a park to me and it's quite beautiful.  Also, I know this is really silly but I can not stand the bow on the bride's dress.  UGH!! I KNOW it's meant to be ridiculous but it makes me cringe.  Maybe that's because I actually like her dress minus the God-awful bow.  Hey, I said I know it's silly but I just can't help it.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Save a Prayer



A somewaht recent (but new to me) performance of the always beautiful Save A Prayer.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Nick Rhodes on Bowie Tribute



Question: How can you go wrong with Duran Duran covering a David Bowie song? Answer: You can't. As stated by Nick in the video Duran Duran covered Bowie's song Fame as a B-side (that's the flip side to a vinyl single) in the 80's. I heard Duran Duran's version of Fame before I even knew about David Bowie's but I like both versions immensely.

I'm quite looking forward to this David Bowie tribute album. According to the Official Duran Duran website the album is due out on September 13th but according to Amazon it is coming September 6th. Perhaps one is the U.K. release date and the other is the U.S. release date. Either way, it's soon! The song Duran Duran are covering is Boys Keep Swinging.

The money raised by the album is going to War Child International.

Revised question: How can you go wrong with Duran Duran covering a David Bowie song and all the money going to help children stricken by war? Revised answer: You absolutely can not!

So, look for the album within the next two weeks. And know that while you enjoy all the tracks there are children around the world benefitting in a positive way.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Falling Down



Another video - LOL.  There are a couple of reasons for this one.  In my opinion this is the best song on Red Carpet Massacre.  I also like the video quite a lot.  It's a little freaky and yet it (along with the song) makes you think.  Plus, the video just seems very true to Duran Duran's style to me.  The final reason I chose this song/video is because I heard it at 24 Hour Fitness the other night when I started thinking about how much I still love this band.  Then I thought of my friends blog to a music artist she loves.  From the combination Duran Duran Daily was born.


As always, enjoy.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Burning the Ground



I am seriously having so much fun doing this blog.  I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner.  This video is a Duran Duran mix tape gone visual.  Oh wait, I just asged myself a little by using 'mix tape'.  LOL Maybe I should say mix CD.  Either way, this is great fun to watch and hear.

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Reflex Video



I love this song and video so much.  To this day I can't tell you just what exactly the song is supposed to mean.  And to be honest, that's perfectly all right with me.  This song/video always takes me back to a time and place of fun and happiness with my equally Duran-crazed teenage girlfriends.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Duran Duran Channel on YouTube

Oh my gosh - this is the coolest thing I've found in quite some time. An entiere channel devoted to the band I adore. I'm not certain I have time for the addiction. LOL

I went to YouTube to find a video clip to blog about and found an entire channel. The Nick Rhodes video from the other day is on the YT channel. Really, this is just too great. And a little too much for my tired brain to deal woth right now. So, while I can guarantee that I will be visiting this channel frequently (and sharing a lot from it) - here is the link for now:


Duran Duran on YouTube

Enjoy!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Album Update

I have to say that I think the guys in the band are enjoying teasing us fans about this album. While I adore the fact that they are doing these videos and letting us in (at least a little bit) to the process behind the scenes - I believe they may be laughing about the undefined timeline. Oh well, whether the album is released in seven weeks (I wish) or seven months (I'll live) - I am really looking forward to it. In the meantime, here is another funny video about the album. This time it's from Nick Rhodes. Enjoy - I know I did, more than once. :)

Oh, and Julia - thanks for the tip on resizing the video. This is much better as it actually fits.

Why I Am Creating This Blog

To the people who will certainly roll their eyes and ask me why I am making this blog - I ask,
Why not?
I have loved Duran Duran since I was a child.  Now my children love them.  My oldest keeps asking me when she will be able to see them in concert.  I told her that they are working on a new album and when they tour, she can go see them with me.  She's thrilled, I'm thrilled and it reminds me of being exposed to great music by my own parents.  They taught me to love music and I want to carry on the love.

Other than sharing Duran Duran with my children, I want to share the love with others.  I guess this blog is my (supposedly) grown-up version of passing notes about the band to my girlfriends in junior high school.

Disclaimer: In order to protect myself (if need be), the picture of Duran Duran that is in my header comes from their official website.  This is not my picture and I own the rights in no way, shape or form.  I'm just borrowing the wonderful image in order to share the Duran Duran love.

Enjoy.