Ronson's gives his version

 

IT'S half eight in the evening, and Mark Ronson has had a long day. But you won't hear him grumbling about doing another interview.

 

"It's been a bit of a marathon but it's fun," says the 31-year-old. "I'm not complaining about playing music on the radio, it could be worse."

 

You may not recognise him by name, but by the end of this summer, industry insiders are predicting Mark's name will be everywhere. Renowned for his work behind the DJ decks and producer throne - credits include Amy Winehouse's smash hit Rehab, Lily Allen's Littlest Things and two songs on Christina Aguilera's Back To Basics album - he now steps out as an 'artist' with new album, Version, which is being touted as the hottest new sound around.

 

Mark's unique 'versions' of Britney Spears' Toxic, Coldplay's God Put A Smile Upon Your Face, Kaiser Chiefs' Oh My God with Lily Allen and The Zutons' Valerie sung by Amy Winehouse have lit up the music world - and guest appearances by the likes of Lily, Amy and Robbie Williams have only ignited the flame further.

 

"I have this pattern of meeting people by accident, somebody you vibe with over music, and then get together to do music," he says.

 

"I would never chase someone, or just work with someone, just because it's someone I like. I think it's much better when it works naturally. It's more spontaneous, and you get better music out of it."

 

So the likes of Lily and Amy being on the record were just pure coincidence?

 

"They were mostly people I had worked with in the past year, or maybe a little more than a year ago. I was working with Lily on her first record. I did a song for her on her album, and asked her to do one for mine," Mark explains.

 

"And when I was working with Amy, I asked her to do a tune - she liked the tune Valerie. Everything was quite organic. It just got really lucky in a way that it's huge stars appearing on my record. At the beginning, I didn't have a record deal. I was paying the whole way to make the record."

 

Amazingly, the whole album started off as an accident.

 

Radiohead

 

"It wasn't intentional. About a year ago, a friend asked me to do a Radiohead cover. I started to mess around with it, and rediscovered the joy of making music," he says, smiling.

 

"I kind of lost touch with music the year before that, as I hadn't really worked on any projects that really excited me. It was incredibly gratifying."

 

He adds: "The songs I covered are my favourite songs. I was at a urinal and I thought in my head, I wish I had done Head Like A Hole by Nine Inch Nails. It's a song that I love, and I don't want to mess it around.

 

"But what do you do? A conventional mash-up, where you put something over it, or a more intricately involved version?"

 

Born in London, Mark moved to New York at age eight with his mother, socialite and writer Ann Dexter-Jones.

 

"I have an eclectic taste in music. My dad (property tycoon Laurence Ronson) played a lot of music - blues, soul and hip hop - when I was growing up.

 

"Her (my mother) and my dad would throw tea parties at their house in St John's Wood and I, three or four years old at the time, would sit eating crumpets and playing air drums next to the stereo speakers," he recalls.

 

He now spends a lot of time over in the UK, and is full of compliments for the British music scene.

 

"There's a really great hip hop scene here, and you have a great rock scene, with so many great bands. The UK is more open to music, whereas New Yorkers love the same sh*t. It's not as vibrant over there. I always get more inspired over here."

 

Mark's current favourites include Maximo Park ("I love their new record!"), The Bees and Candie Payne, and isn't too surprised that his female friends have found success Stateside.

 

"Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse are two of the most exciting things going on in the US musically, because they're so honest and not at all afraid to be different to American artists," he says.

 

Hip-hop

 

"That's been the problem up to now. A lot of British r'n'b, hip hop and pop music tries to follow the lead of the American stuff. There's so much crap and watered-down music. Lily's stuff is so unique and refreshing."

 

Mark admits he's actually a music geek, saying: "When I was a kid, I was the only person I knew at my age who read album liner notes. And when I met Jann Wenner, the editor of Rolling Stone, even he was shocked to hear about my knowledge of useless music trivia."

 

The enthusiastic MySpace blogger remains modest about his skills, despite being asked to DJ at A-listers' private parties such as P Diddy's birthday and Tom Cruise's wedding to Katie Holmes.

 

"I didn't get starstruck. He (Tom) gave me a lot of viewing pleasure when I was younger. It's my chance to make sure everyone has a good time. I think anytime you DJ, you surrender your ego at the door. You just want people to have a good time, though I'm not someone who would play I Will Survive," Mark says with a grin.

 

Still, there are some who are endorsing the former underground DJ as the hottest thing in music right now. "I don't know if I would say that, but if you want to say that, I'll silently nod," Mark demurs.

 

"The thing is that I've done nothing towards it but work with some amazing characters, who have made some really good records. This is my first album - it's still like a producer project so it's not like I have the ego of a frontman.

 

"I'm working with some talented people and that is the reason why I am considered quote unquote 'cool'. Having an album with a concept that others seem to be into, that's what has put me at the front of things."

And he reveals he'll be the last person to get caught up in his newfound fame, saying: "It's kinda new but it's not in overdrive. I don't have paparazzi outside my door, stalking or anything. I don't think I probably ever will."

 

Mark Ronson's LP, Version, is out now. He plays the Life Cafe on Wednesday, May 16. Call 0161 832 1111 for ticket details.

 

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/rock_and_pop/s/1004/1004614_ronsons_gives_his_version_.html

 

Version

Released: 16/04/07

 

Friend to the stars, Brit producer Mark Robson makes mashing-up cool again, simply by adding some sexy horns and calling in some favours.

 

Based in the Big Apple, Ronson is the DJ on every A-listers speed dial, hence why the poor lad had the pleasure of 'entertaining' the mixed bunch who attended the Cruises' wedding bash.

 

Ronson has worked his magic on Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse and Robbie Williams albums, so unsurprisingly, all three feature on Version.

 

Winehouse fairs best out of the three, on a cover of The Zutons' Valerie. Her creamy soulful tones glide effortlessly alongside the sax, while Williams promptly puts himself out there by taking on a version of The Charlatans, The Only One I know. It's not bad; it's just not a patch on the original.

 

The cover of the Smiths' Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before, is already getting heavy airplay, but it's Coldplay who come off worst. The instrumental version of God Put A Smile Upon Your Face sounds like lift music.

 

Making up for a the odd blip, Kasabian show Robbie how it's done on LSF and Santo Gold surprises on a cover of the Jam's Pretty Green, proving that even old classics need dusting off and lent a fresh ear now and then.

 

They say: 'At its best that is precisely what Version implies: that the producer behind it has an imagination as unique and unlikely as his path to success.' - Guardian Unlimited.

 

We say: Inventive and funky, with only the odd track heading down the 'easy listening' route. Definitely one to sizzle at your summer BBQs.

 

Best Tracks: LSF, Valerie, Pretty Green, Just

 

http://www.megastar.co.uk/essentialmusic/news/2007/04/16/sMEG01MTE3NjcyNTk2NjU.html

i like his voice ! i need to get more acquainted with his music though.

seen a music video of him in snow and another of him in an empty concert hall.

Ronson crafts praiseworthy ‘Versions’ of hit tunes on CD

 

From time to time, it’s necessary to turn our ears across the pond and find out what kind of music is coming out of America’s stuffier older brother: the United Kingdom. The U.K. has long been known to put out music that the United States has enjoyed — The Beatles had some moderate success in America, if memory serves — but what have you done for us lately, oh-tiny island?

 

Who is next in the line of great U.K. musicians to follow the likes of Coldplay and Radiohead and give the United States a fresh new sound?

 

The answer is Mark Ronson, and the proof is in his upcoming album Version.

 

Now I know what the music-loving public is thinking: Mark Ronson? Isn’t he the U.K.-born, NY-based former face of DKNY’s fashion line? You know, the hip-hop producer/DJ that has worked with Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse (another U.K. product whose success should translate in the 50-nifty United States) and produced “Jesus Walks” ghostwriter Rhymefest’s first album Blue Collar?

 

Don’t forget that he also once got in a shouting match with Charlize Theron DJing a Gucci party in Milan and hung out with Bob Marley’s kids when he was younger.

 

But his greatest achievement to date has to be Version, an aptly named album that contains his versions of covers with the help of a wide variety of artists.

 

In the eclectic Version, “funk” is the keyword, and Ronson brings so much to the table that even Shaft would be proud of the bad mother — shut yo’ mouth. The songs encompass a myriad of genres that showcase Ronson’s obvious talent for musical production.

 

Version opens with a big band instrumental-only rendition of Coldplay’s “God Put a Smile on Your Face,” featuring blaring trumpets, which set the upbeat tone of the entire album. The hardest thing to do — especially in the age of cross-genre collaboration — is to place a genre on the album. It’s clear in the drums and beats that hip-hop is a major influence, but only one track features anything that remotely resembles rap verses.

 

Traditional instruments like the trumpet and saxophone give it a jazz-like sound at times, while the electric bass and guitar supply the lost art of funk. All in all, Version is the Soledad O’Brien of music: It’s a little bit of everything and very good at what it does.

 

Presumably a “thank you” for producing most of her album, including the two hits singles “Rehab” and “You Know I’m No Good,” the aforementioned Winehouse drops in on Version’s track “Valerie.” The Winehouse/Ronson combination has the potential to be very special, and their future commercial success in the States could initially be largely determined on their collaborative work.

 

The album itself plays like a lyrical rendition of the United Nations. Ronson features Aussie singer Daniel Merriweather on the first U.S. single, a strings-driven version of the Smiths’ “Stop Me.” He then enlists the help of California natives Phantom Planet — famous for the theme song of everyone’s favorite cancelled teen-drama “The O.C.” — on Radiohead’s “Just,” a track popular on British radio waves. The Ethiopian-born Kenna lends his unique voice to “Amy,” which completes the world tour of musicians.

 

The height of Version is Ronson’s interpretation of the crotch-flashing, head-shaving, ex-Mrs. Federline Britney Spear’s “Toxic,” a track where he displays almost every facet of his talent by mixing horns, scratching, electric bass, drums and verses from the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The result is a slowed-down classic that only makes listeners miss ODB even more.

 

The only flaw with foreign music is the delay in getting said music from the redcoats’ hands to the Yankees’ ears. Version was released in the U.K. April 16, and while the Stop Me EP — a collection of three songs found on the album — can be purchased off of iTunes in the United States, Version has yet to be put on the shelves over here. The only way of obtaining the full-length album is through online providers like Amazon.com.

 

Ultimately, Version is an ingenious album that has the potential to appeal to a broad spectrum of musical consumers and carry the U.K. torch in the United States for some time. The only question left is whether or not it can find popularity across the Atlantic, especially considering America’s current access (or lack there of) to the album. Despite its hurdles, Version should be considered one of the most eclectic and unique sounds that has made its way off the tiny island that is the United Kingdom. It is most definitely worth a listen, no matter what country you’re from.

 

Grade: 4 out of 5

 

http://badgerherald.com/artsetc/2007/04/30/ronson_crafts_praise.php

Mark Ronson, Bloomsbury Ballroom, London

 

DJ, we've heard this one before

 

The man for whom the term "celebrity DJ" was coined has chosen this early 20th-century ballroom with typical taste. The smart, fashionable crowd he's drawn may not have the cachet of party-goers at Puff Daddy's 1998 birthday, nor Tom Cruise's wedding to Katie Holmes, the Marie -Antoinette extravaganzas that made Ronson's DJ name. Nor will we get to see any of the stars whose star has been helped to burn more brightly by Ronson's production - Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Robbie Williams, Coldplay - most of whom guest on the solo album, Version, he is here to play.

 

Instead, we get to judge Ronson's own ability as a star. The British-born, US-raised socialite's son who runs with hip-hop's street millionaires has put his hybrid background to good use, drawing out Williams' electro side, and splicing Motown with modern dance for Winehouse's Back to Black. Version, covering hip UK hits by the likes of Radiohead in danceable club style, is Ronson's logical next step. If he fails, it's back to the back room.

 

He gets full marks for style. The first sound we hear is a Stonesy roadhouse funk, which surprisingly becomes Coldplay's "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face". This is sharpened up with jazzy brass, and staccato funk guitar played by Ronson. He sounds almost as good as he looks, with his soft, handsome features, crisp white shirt and bright red guitar at last in the spotlight.

 

Even a man with Ronson's connections couldn't resurrect the late rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard, who appears on Britney Spears' "Toxic" on Version, and get him to appear. But choosing that song, along with similarly familiar hits by the likes of Kaiser Chiefs and The Smiths, suggests a weakness in his project, the strength of which depends on which side of the pond it's viewed from.

 

Ronson's stated aim to introduce US club kids to British indie's quirky sensibilities is laudable, recalling hip-hop producer Kanye West's obsession with Franz Ferdinand; jaded rap may now need this injection from rock. But from a British pop fan's perspective, Version is just a decent, fairly obvious covers album.

 

Watching the reactions of this British club crowd, it's doubtful if Ronson is offering them anything new. When his band play "Telstar" with the ballroom's drapes behind them, they look for a moment like a postmodern lounge band. But it sounds like a skilful remix, not the wholesale recontextualisation of, say, Tarantino's use of pop. The suspicion also grows that the interesting, aggressively jazzy treatment of Radiohead's "Just", which kick-startsVersion, is Ronson's only trick. If this music had come out of nowhere, played by nobodies, it might sound fine. As it is, it's sharp, smart and somewhat pointless.

 

The guest vocalists make or break things. Unknown black hippie chick Taria, bravely standing in for Lily Allen on "Oh My God" and Amy Winehouse on The Zutons' "Valerie", is outstanding, turning the latter into a joyful soul belter. Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald, a star in the States for The OC theme song "California", turns the accusatory self-loathing of Radiohead's "Just" into smooth yearning. "You guys are awesome, I love London," he yells. This American enthusiasm, so typical of dance and frowned on in UK indie, is a fascinating alteration to these songs.

 

Then "Stop Me" at last makes Ronson's dreams come true. Baby-faced Daniel Merriweather squeezes his eyes tearfully shut to sing The Smiths' "Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before". "Nothing's changed, I still love you - only slightly less than I used to," the crowd sing along, Morrissey's qualification making the lingering ache worse, as Ronson's hard funk beat leaves the song's heart intact. And when Merriweather slips into the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hanging On" a cappella, adding a bitter coda from a parallel pop world, two hearts at last beat as one. We haven't heard that one before.

 

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/article2563040.ece

 

Version

Released: 16/04/07

 

Friend to the stars, Brit producer Mark Robson]

 

The former West Ham and Charlton player?:confused:

DJ Ronson is set to light up ViTal summer night

 

Music's most wanted producer/mixologist Mark Ronson has been confirmed for the second day of Tennents ViTal in Belfast this summer.

 

The New York DJ, who enjoyed huge chart success with his reworking of the Smiths song Stop Me, will play the Ormeau Park on Wednesday, August 22 alongside The Killers and Kasbian.

 

Also on the bill that day will be Albert Hammond Jr of New York post punk outfit The Strokes.

 

Hammond released an album of solo material Yours To Keep last autumn, which featured guest appearances from Sean Lennon and band mate Julian Casablancas.

 

Hammond has played Belfast before with The Strokes, but this will be Ronson's first visit here.

 

A highly respected DJ on the New York hip-hop scene, Ronson started dabbling with UK indie music as well.

 

He has reworked his own versions of songs by the Kaiser Chiefs, Kasbian, The Zutons and Coldplay.

 

But it's the old Smiths track Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before, which he released as Stop Me this year, which really made him a household name.

 

The vocals for the song were provided by Daniel Merriweather.

 

Further acts are to be announced for day one of ViTal, which will be headlined by Razorlight and Manic Street Preachers. Day tickets are available for £38, while two-day tickets can be bought for £78.

 

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music-gigs/news/article2698628.ece

and a #1 with The Smiths - Stop me.....

 

 

i like this quote too....

 

"There's a really great hip hop scene here, and you have a great rock scene, with so many great bands. The UK is more open to music, whereas New Yorkers love the same sh*t. It's not as vibrant over there. I always get more inspired over here."

and a #1 with The Smiths - Stop me.....

 

 

i like this quote too....

 

"There's a really great hip hop scene here, and you have a great rock scene, with so many great bands. The UK is more open to music, whereas New Yorkers love the same sh*t. It's not as vibrant over there. I always get more inspired over here."

 

Did he ever get number 1 with his cover?

 

His album is a bit hit & miss, but still is worthy a 6.7

New single- Bang Bang Bang is pop genius. I love this collaboration.

 

AWESOME clip, too.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y36a4y4RTc]YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.[/ame]

I like the music and also the video.

 

I should check out more songs from him :wacko:

His first album is all covers. This new one due out in a few months is all new stuff, but collaborations. For those who don't know, Ronson is primarily a music producer in the UK.

i Wiki-ed him. will take a listen to his songs later on. any recommends on what to listen to?

my recommendation is you join the facebook group i made in tribute to him

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=6264494723&ref=ts

Well this new song is so different. I didn't like his covers that much (they're jazzy not synthy). But here's a few:

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THgWhUMjhSg]YouTube- Mark Ronson - God Put A Smile Upon Your Face[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2WVOMnndXY]YouTube- Mark Ronson - Stop me[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tAKUIqGhI4]YouTube- Mark Ronson - Apply some pressure feat. Paul Smith[/ame]

my recommendation is you join the facebook group i made in tribute to him

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=6264494723&ref=ts

 

You, sir...... are a useless t w a t. Lady Gaga has that title.

 

Version is covers, I accept that. But you can't use the same argument "oh have I already heard that" with the new single. I am a convert with Bang Bang Bang. He's back to doing what he does well - PRODUCING new music.

You, sir...... are a useless t w a t. Lady Gaga has that title.

 

Version is covers, I accept that. But you can't use the same argument "oh have I already heard that" with the new single. I am a convert with Bang Bang Bang. He's back to doing what he does well - PRODUCING new music.

 

the man is an ass. poser. had everything handed to him on a plate. he's butchered radiohead, the smiths, kings of leon, the jam, the charlatons and bob dylan. he's been riding on Version for ages and all he did was get someone to sing kareoke over the top of his horn section.

 

the group was made at the time of that album, not this one. if he produces a good album fair enough but there is little from his first album to suggest it will be.

it's worth noting the facebook group i made is the biggest ronson group on the site. only his page has more fans. the next biggest group dedicated to him is over three times smaller. there is a lot more hate for him than love.

 

 

 

in the words of bill bailey - "So what do you think, Ronson? Bit of ketamine, a few horn sections and we're ROCKIN'!!!"

Ok. Whilst I agree on not liking his covers album, I like his work on this new song. There's hope. But life doesn't end with facebook, come on.

the clip at the top says embedding disabled by request

(i won't keep adding negativity to the thread, don't worry. said what i wanted to)

I changed it. I don't even like that one anyway.

 

THIS, is a tune.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt9zryBpfgs&feature=related]YouTube- Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse- Valerie[/ame]

the zutons version is much better. that was the most annoying song of 2007 ^

 

i'm happy he's stopped doing covers and gone back to producing. i mean, it's a rip off of kanye west's flashing lights but it is a good pop song. if he sticks to stuff like this, where he lets others write new music and he just rips off other stuff for parts of the backing track and avoids a brass section but in a semi decent way i won't hate him as much. there is no excusing his last album though.

 

after already having 'pass out' by tinie tempah it looks like that kinda sound is gonna be this year. could get annoying. enjoy it whilst you still can.

I've heard his cover of Toxic on NBA Live '08 :uhoh: One of the better songs, not that that accounts for much :P

Threads merged. :)

I love "Toxic"! :heart:

I HATED 'Bang Bang Bang' at first, maybe because it was different but I love it now! Can't stop listening! The video is also awesome :D