Yusuf Islam, who rose to fame in the 1970s as Cat Stevens, has won a second consecutive award for songwriter of the year in Britain.

The award was handed out during performing rights group ASCAP's annual U.K. awards ceremony Wednesday. The event honors the top British writers and publishers represented by the group. ASCAP collects royalties on behalf of its members from public performances of their compositions, such as on TV and the radio. Rival firm BMI held its awards ceremony last week, but does not have an award for its top songwriter. Islam's oft-covered "First Cut is the Deepest" was one of ASCAP's top songs last year.

ASCAP song of the year honors went to Coldplay's "Speed of Sound." The band's "Clocks" was also one of ASCAP's top songs. At the BMI event, the song of the year was "Listen to Your Heart," written by Roxette frontman Per Gessle and Mats Persson, which was recently covered by Belgium-based duo D.H.T.

Other multiple ASCAP winners included AC/DC for "Back in Black" and "You Shook Me All Night Long," Dido for "Thank You" and "White Flag," U2 for "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "Vertigo," and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, the co-writer of wife Shania Twain's "Forever and For Always" and "You're Still the One." Twain, a BMI member, was honored last week for "You're Still the One."

EMI is banking on Robbie Williams and Norah Jones being top sellers in the second half of its financial year, with a trading statement from the music giant out tomorrow expected to indicate a sharp drop in first-half sales.

Overall, the company is expected to say trading indicates that full-year sales to the end of next March are likely to be about £2.07bn, compared with nearly £2.08bnin the previous 12 months.

The City is expecting a strong schedule of releases from EMI in the second half of the year, including new albums from Williams and Jones.

There will also be a new album of Beatles songs, called Love, put together by the band's former producer Sir George Martin and his son Giles.

Analysts at Citigroup believe five of EMI's forthcoming albums could sell more than three million copies each and they note that Jones has previously done at least as well as Coldplay, another EMI group, whose last album sold 7.5mcopies.

In the US, which accounts for 29% of its sales, the overall music market grew slightly last month. Sales in Japan, which makes up about 18%of EMI's market, have seen steady growth this year.

Overall sales of music in the UK, which accounts for about 17%of EMI's income, are likely to be down about 2%.

Source: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk

On a recent episode of the hit TV crime show CSI: NY, Detective Danny Messer’s cell phone rang with a familiar tone. “Coldplay?” his partner asks. “Yeah,” says Messer. “It’s called talk — something my girlfriend’s really good at.”

The plug was then followed by more traditional ads for the ringtone during the commercial break. No money changed hands for the product placement or commercials, but revenue from ring tones sold during the one-week offer — at $2.50 a pop — was split evenly between CBS and EMI’s Capitol label. The Coldplay album, X&Y, went on to be a multi-platinum seller. Of course, celebrities have always sold stuff. But there is a huge difference between Catherine Zeta-Jones or Coldplay flogging mobile phones and counterculture heroes such as Dylan and De Niro selling out for bras and credit cards.

Read the full article here

Dig out the vinyl, scan the CD collection and scroll through your MP3 player….and then tell us your favourite album.

We're asking everyone to vote for their favourite album of all time. The results will be tallied, and the top ten albums of all time - as voted by Australia - will be revealed in a 90 minute television epic to be aired in December. To nominate your favourite album go to the vote now link on this page, call 1900 966 336 or SMS your vote to 19799222.

Following on from the success of My Favourite Book in 2004, and My Favourite Film in 2005, it's time to find THE album that excites your imagination, evokes a million memories, makes you want to sing out loud or dance all night. There is no list that you have to choose from. Any LP album or CD released is eligible, in any language, in any genre.

One week after appearing on the British comedy show 'Extras', Chris Martin finally speaks out about the fact that he was mocked badly by Ricky Gervais and being shown as a selfish pop star on an ego trip.

He said: "At least now people can assume I do have a sense of humour and it's not all about angst and baby Apple."

More on this here

The top ten most popular searches on myspace are:

1) HTML

2) Videos

3) My Chemical Romance

4) Downloads

5) Coldplay

6) Ringtones

7) Dates

8) Music

9) Photos

10) Friends

Coldplay drummer Will Champion and wife Marianne In Hong Kong during their Far East tour, 13th July 2006

[Thanks cpfan50]

Complete Panic ! (NiteKlub Project)

01 - Dont Panic - Rockefeller Music Hall, Oslo, Norway, 2000-12-01

02 - You Only Live Twice - Rockefeller Music Hall, Oslo, Norway, 2000-12-01 (2/3/4)

03 - Bigger Stronger - Rockefeller Music Hall, Oslo, Norway, 2000-12-01 (4)

04 - Trouble - Live fra Vega i Denmark (6)

05 - Shiver - Live fra Vega i Denmark (6)

06 - Sparks - Live fra Vega i Denmark (6)

07 - Spies - Lowlands Festival in Holland on 25 August 2000 (5)

08 - Bigger Stronger - Lowlands Festival in Holland on 25 August 2000 (5)

09 - Yellow - Lowlands Festival in Holland on 25 August 2000 (5)

10 - Don't Panic - OUI FM 102.3 Acoustic Session (3)

The complete Don't Panic Live Collection, right here [thanks Nitehawk]

The Best Of Radio 2 - A round-up of the best music of the last few months along with some juicy DJ faves

BBC Radio 2 has worked its way into the hearts of the nation. It’s now the UK’s most listened to station thanks to its mix of popular and specialist music, features, documentaries, light entertainment and readings.

And now they’re bringing their magic to a 3-CD collection, cunningly titled Radio 2 Presents The Playlist. And it is exactly that: a mouth-watering collection of great songs penned by some of the world’s most celebrated and critically acclaimed artists, both new and old.The collection includes some top UK favourites with Coldplay, Paul McCartney and Pet Shop Boys as well as some great up and coming acts like the Kooks and online breakthroughs Sandi Thom and Lily Allen.

Also featured are - sharp intake of breath - The Verve, KT Tunstall, The Kooks, The Kinks, Kirsty MacColl, Kylie Minogue, Phil Collins, Madness, Blondie, Beverley Knight, The Beach Boys, Glen Campbell, José González, Maroon 5, Norah Jones, Embrace, Eva Cassidy, David Bowie, James Blunt, Oasis, Queen, Steve Miller Band, Crowded House, Narina Pallot, Joss Stone...

You can get your hands on this amazing compendium from the 23rd October. The release also coincides with the broadcast of ‘The Playlist’ – a special one-off show that will include a look at all the best music on Radio 2’s rich playlist.

For more information, check in at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored the top British writer and publisher members of the PRS at a special ceremony held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Wednesday, October 11, 2006.

Hosted by ASCAP Senior Vice President, International Roger Greenaway, the gala dinner and awards presentation honored those PRS writer and publisher members whose repertory is licensed by ASCAP and was among its most performed works in the U.S. during 2005.

"We're very pleased to celebrate the achievements of the writer and publisher members of the PRS whose music is represented by ASCAP in the United States," said Greenaway. "I'm especially pleased to welcome our Songwriter of the Year honoree, Yusuf Islam, and to pay tribute to Felix Cavaliere. Their songs have truly stood the test of time. My sincerest congratulations to them and to all of tonight's honorees."

Yusuf Islam was named Songwriter of the Year for the second consecutive year and was recognized for his enduring classic "First Cut Is The Deepest." Formerly known as Cat Stevens, he was one of the most successful and enigmatic artists of the 1970s, with a string of best selling albums, which virtually defined the concept of the sensitive songwriter. His reflective and often highly personal songs connected with a huge audience and made him an international superstar. His most notable songs include "Morning Has Broken," "Peace Train," "Wild World," "Moonshadow," "Father and Son," "Matthew and Son," "Oh Very Young," and "First Cut Is The Deepest." "First Cut" first appeared on his 1967 album, "New Masters," and has been covered by numerous artists, including P.P. Arnold, Rod Stewart and more recently, Sheryl Crow, who earned a 2005 Grammy nomination for her rendition, which was featured on her Greatest Hits album, "The Very Best of Sheryl Crow."

Yusuf Islam is soon to release a Rick Nowels-produced album of new songs, his first in almost 30 years. The release will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the first Cat Stevens record, "I Love My Dog" (Deram November 1966).

ASCAP Song of the Year honors went to Coldplay's "Speed of Sound." The song, featured on the band's third album, "X&Y," reached #8 on the Billboard 100 chart and has earned them numerous accolades, including a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance and a Brit Award for Best British Single.

BMG Music Publishing Ltd was named Publisher of the Year. ASCAP CEO John A. LoFrumento presented the award to Chairman Paul Curran, who commented, "We are thrilled at winning our third ASCAP Publisher Award in a row. It is a real tribute to the dedication of everyone who works at BMG Music Publishing and the fact that we clearly have been able to create an environment in which our songwriters can consistently flourish here, and in the U.S."

Indie/Rock group The Cribs received the ASCAP College Award for their self-titled debut album, which has received significant airplay on college radio stations in the U.S. The band, from Yorkshire, England, features three brothers, twins Gary and Ryan Jarman and younger brother, Ross. They released three singles -- "Another Number," "What About Me," and "You Were Always the One" -- before signing to Wichita Records in late 2003, and since then have toured the U.S. a total of six times. They are currently recording their third album.

British/Australian duo Bodyrockers received the ASCAP Dance Award for their worldwide hit "I Like The Way." Comprising Kaz James, one of Australia's leading house DJs, and U.K. guitarist/vocalist Dylan Burns, the Bodyrockers are gaining massive support from some of the most known and respected DJs, including Erick Morillo and Steve Lawler.

Honorees in the Film and TV Theme categories were Patrick Doyle ("Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire," "Nanny McPhee"), Dario Marianelli ("Pride and Prejudice," "The Brothers Grimm"), Julian Nott ("Curse of the Were-Rabbit"), Joby Talbot ("The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy"), Keith Strachan and Matthew Strachan ("Who Wants To Be A Millionaire"), Catherine Dennis, Julian Gingell and Barry Stone ("American Idol"), and Adrian Johnson ("Gideon's Daughter").

The evening was highlighted with a special tribute to Felix Cavaliere, who performed some of the classic songs that rocked millions of fans with his soulful singing and songwriting skills. Cavaliere was the main creative force behind The Rascals who had four number one hits, six top 20 singles, and six top 20 albums. His voice is familiar to millions through smash hits like "Good Lovin'," "Girl Like You," "I've Been Lonely Too Long," "Groovin'," "You Better Run," "A Beautiful Morning" and the inspiring "People Got To Be Free." His vocal style had an impact on the development of pop music long before the term "Blue Eyed Soul" was coined. Cavaliere has completed a tour with Ringo Starr, has been busy coordinating and producing music for Northwest Airlines and TV commercials featuring legendary musicians, and touring nationally. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

For more information, including a complete list of winners, go to www.ascap.com.

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 250,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP also represents the repertories created by the international affiliates of 70 foreign performing rights organizations. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com

Source: http://www.marketwire.com

You can download Coldplay: Speed Of Sound (KarlG remix) from his site karlgunton.com.

It’s the Coldplay remix that ended the main arena gig at Global Gathering 2005.

And like tk the cat says - hearing Coldplay remixes is like having gin with lucozade! [Thanks tk the cat]

It was with a tear in his eye and a lump in his throat that one-quarter of one of the most famous rock bands on the planet returned to his hometown of Southampton.

Coldplay drummer Will Champion took time out of the award-winning band's hectic schedule to perform a heartfelt honour.

He was invited to Southampton University to officially open a new archaeology building, which holds special significance for his family.

Read the full article here

Chris Martin leaving the Groucho Club in Soho.

London, England - 09.10.06

See the pictures here [thanks __therese]

As SOLD on eBay, you can now download Coldplay documentaries, including the 'Origins of Coldplay', 'How It All Began', 'Breaking America' and 'The Future', for free.

Download all twelve parts here

[thanks Nitehawk]

Got Coldplay DVDs but no covers? Don't Panic, you can download the whole set here

[Thanks Nitehawk]

The Coldplaying populous has spoken, and the majority of you are expecting a new Coldplay album no sooner or later than the year 2008. Here are the results so far:

To cast your vote click here. To discuss this poll go here

Taking the mic: Coldplay frontman Chris Martin proved an easy target for Ricky Gervais's mockery in Extras.

Read the full article here [thanks Jenjie]

On November 14, Hip-O Records/Universal Music Enterprises will release Rhythms del Mundo, a collaborative record that unites members of the Buena Vista Social Club with their pasty white musical brethren.

After obtaining permission from the various bands to modify their material, the Cuban collective (under the guidance of arranger Demitrio Muniz) created brand new backing tracks for the original vocals of songs like "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "She Will Be Loved".

Even Arctic Monkeys, who are known for not loaning their music to anybody, gladly submitted "Dancing Shoes" to the Club.

The musicians who play on the album include Barbarito Torres, Amandito Valdes, Virgilio Valdes, Angel Terri Domech, Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal, and Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez. Legendary vocalist Omara Portuondo performs a cover of "Killing Me Softly", and duets with the late Ibrahim Ferrer on "Casablanca". Ferrer's contributions to the compilation ("Casablanca" and "As Time Goes By") are his last-ever recordings.

As if all that wasn't special enough, Rhythms del Mundo benefits Artists Project Earth, a non-profit that aids natural disaster victims and helps raise awareness of climate change problems.

Thom Yorke commented on APE's mission in a press release, stating, "We need a law, we need to have the government put climate change in its place. If you leave industry to sort it out on a voluntary basis, that's never going to happen. So everybody if they've got any concerns about climate change has to register that concern with their government officials because it's the only way to go."

Clips from most of the tracks can be heard on the compilation's website. Since this is a benefit album, and everyone involved seems like nice people (except for the guy from Maroon 5), we're going to refrain from saying anything about what this stuff sounds like.

Tracklist:

01 Coldplay - "Clocks"

02 Jack Johnson - "Better Together"

03 Arctic Monkeys - "Dancing Shoes"

04 Dido & Faithless - "One Step Too Far"

05 Ibrahim Ferrer - "As Time Goes By"

06 U2 and Coco Freeman - "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"

07 Maroon 5 - "She Will Be Loved"

08 Kaiser Chiefs - "Modern Way"

09 Omara Portuondo - "Killing Me Softly"

10 Vanya Borges feat. Quincy Jones - "Ai No Corrida" *

11 Sting - "Fragilidad"

12 Vanya Borges - "Don't Know Why" *

13 Aquila Rose & Idana Valdez - "Hotel Buena Vista"

14 Coco Freeman & Franz Ferdinand - "The Dark of the Matinee"

15 El Lele de Los Van Van and Radiohead - "High and Dry"

16 Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo - "Casablanca" [bonus track]

More on this here [Thanks Ondes Martenot]

Watch the entire episode here

It really couldn't possibly get any worse for Andy Millman. Seriously.

Following on from last week's Down Syndrome debacle, Andy kicked-off tonight's show with a charity video appeal, only to subsequently find his entire BBC sitcom hijacked by a shamelessly self-promoting Chris Martin.

However, the Coldplay front-man's repeated attempts to hawk a forthcoming greatest hits album was really only the start of Andy's problems, as he ended up nominated for a BAFTA award and finally caught a glimpse of some of light at the end of the tunnel.Of course, this is Extras we're talking about here, and a glimmer of good fortune can really only ever represent potential disaster as far as Andy Millman is concerned.

Not only was his agent preparing a prototype Andy doll (based on the ridiculous lead character of his sitcom, Ray Stokes -- replete with an audible "are you 'avin a laugh?" voice feature), but his friend Maggie didn't have a dress to wear to the awards ceremony. Then, in a vain attempt to impress upon the rude owner of a designer dress boutique, Andy offered to purchase the dress Maggie wanted for the big night out, discovering to his pain that it carried a hugely over-inflated price-tag.

If the sight of Chris Martin performing a solo version of "Fix You" in the middle of Andy's banal sitcom wasn't enough to send the audience gnawing at their knuckles in a fit of squirming, then Andy's rapidly-deteriorating situation at the BAFTA awards ceremony was.

It started with his agent, Darren Lamb, arriving noisily in the middle of the obituary segment of the ceremony and insensitively setting off the prototype Andy doll, much to the disgust of the entire audience -- only to be followed by Andy's failure to win an award, then finding himself banned forever from the BAFTA awards when security guards caught him inadvertently stuck in a lavatory cubicle with a cocaine-sniffing Ronnie Corbett.

I had a pillow in front of my face for most of the second half of the show, screaming and laughing in equal measure.

Extras truly is comedy at its most unbearably painful, and yet it's also outrageously funny at the same time.

Ricky Gervais continues to re-invent the genre with an endless succession of disastrous comedy scenarios, while still managing to deliver subtle moments of pathos with such fleeting little segueways like Andy's brief gaze at Maggie's transformation in the expensive evening dress.

But it's almost too difficult to watch, at times -- a bit like peeking through your fingers at a visceral horror movie or standing dumbfounded as a slow-motion car crash unfolds.

But it's always a class act, and I honestly can't believe that next week's show will be the penultimate episode of this second series.

Gervais -- if you're reading this: we want more.

Source: http://www.tvsquad.com

The Extras episode featuring Chris Martin airs TONIGHT [Thursday 5th October] on BBC.

In addition to this, you will be able to view the entire episode online tomorrow [Friday 6th October] here

This week is episode 4 of Extras. It will guest star Chris, Stephen Fry, Richard Briers and Ronnie Corbett. Chris has recorded a special version of the theme song just for this episode with Ricky Gervais singing backing vocals. Another surprise guest will make an appearance after the credits so don’t change the channel.

The show airs on Thursday 5th October at 9pm on BBC2. (It is repeated on Sunday 8th at 10pm).

Mock the Week, BBC2, 10pm

Always good for a laugh, with Frankie Boyle the pick of a more-than-decent line-up.

It completes a comedy trilogy on BBC2 which starts with the wonderful Extras, in which Andy is up for a Bafta and gets to have a chat with Chris Martin of Coldplay fame.

Sandwiched in between are Mitchell and Webb, whose sketch show promises the chance to jump off a cliff for £2. But potential buyers should watch out for the lemmings.

Coldplay Fans Say NO to Martin-Timberlake Collaboration, in our last poll.

New poll: When do you think the next Coldplay album will be released?

You can vote here

As you may or may not know, the Extras episode featuring Chris Martin airs this Thursday [5th October] on BBC television.

In addition to this, you will be able to view the entire episode online from Friday 6th October here

EXTRAS (BBC2, 9pm)

HAS the Ricky Gervais backlash begun?

Just a short while ago, the Reading-born star could do no wrong. Awards were being given to him willy nilly, and everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. After The Office became a massive success, some ‘experts’ said his follow-up, Extras, would be a disaster, and yet the first series went down a treat.

However, various critics are now claiming its second run isn’t funny, and that nobody can identify with Andy Millman since he became a successful sitcom star. Thankfully, viewers have taken absolutely no notice of what’s been said about the show and are still faithfully tuning in for what has become must-see TV.

So far, we’ve seen the likes of Orlando Bloom, Keith Chegwin, David Bowie, Daniel Radcliffe and Diana Rigg poke fun at themselves. Now it’s the turn of the usually oh-so-earnest Chris Martin to do the same. Here, the Coldplay frontman and husband of Gwyneth Paltrow announces he wants to appear in Andy’s programme, while the man himself prepares for his first night at the Baftas.

http://feed.insnews.org

Chris Martin and Will Champion from Coldplay stopped by the studios at 1331 Yonge for an interview with Roger Rick and Marilyn on May 10th, 2005.

Click here for unseen pictures.

[Thanks Alex22 & Ladybug]

Wondering what Coldplay have been doing lately, far away from tour life and studio recording? Well, besides watching their little toddlers grow (Chris has two kids with Gwyneth Paltrow, Will welcomed baby girl Ava in April and Guy's wife Joanna had their daughter Nico two weeks ago), at least three of them have been seen out and about recently, while Guy is probably taking care of newborn Nico at home.

Jonny spent an idyllic holiday with girlfriend Chloe Lee-Evans in Hawaii after finishing their worldwide tour. Jonny was seen dining at Huggo's on the Big Island, enjoying the seaside view and entertainment.

But Jonny is obviously already back in rainy England - a lucky fan spotted Chris, Will and Jonny at the "Emma McGlynn & the Monorails" show at the Heavenly Social in London last night. Chris and Jonny are appearently big fans of the group - Chris talked to a fan afterwards and said that he's known the band for a few years.

Chris and Gwyneth have added a huge house in the Hamptons to their two homes in London and New York City. The Hamptons is a posh, expensive area, far away from paparazzi and therefore perfect for their two little kids, Apple and Moses. Details: five-bedroom, 71/2-bath traditional two-story home, 7,000-square-foot pad on 2 high-hedged acres, asking price of $6.5 million, features ocean views from the second floor, a pool and guest appartement.

More on this here [thanks Flying Sparks]

Chris, Johnny & Will were at Emma McGlynn and the Monorails show at the Heavenly Social in London last night.

More on this here [thanks marion100]That has made my day - just been to see Emma McGlynn and the Monorails at the Social in London and guess who was there….. yup… Chris Martin!

I couldn’t hardly believe my eyes. He seemed to dig it but left fairly promptly at the end, I presume to avoid getting mobbed - people had started to notice him. Anyone know if he is a fan? I kinda like their stuff. Perhaps a collaboration is in the pipeline? Any info anyone.

I only really glimpsed Chris. Missed the others - where were they? Mates said they saw them, but to be honest, I wouldn’t be able to pick them out in a lineup! Not that they are liekly to appear in one…..

Anyway, enjoyed gig - good fun.

[thanks Roosterbooster]