Chris Martin has recorded a duet with Canadian singer songwriter Ron Sexsmith.

Despite his commitments to Coldplay, Chris found time to record the duet ‘Gold In Them Hills’ at London’s Electric Earth East Studios earlier this year. The duet will appear as a bonus track on Sexmith’s fifth album ‘Cobblestone Runway’, released on November 4, the same week as Coldplay's new single, THE SCIENTIST.

The Coldplay singer has long been a Ron Sexsmith fan and jumped at the chance to sing on the country-tinged ballad. Ron Sexsmith plays a UK tour in late November and early December and Chris Martin is tipped to put in a guest appearance if Coldplay’s tour schedule allows it.

For those who have been keeping a close eye on the rantings of idioteque-borne music reviewers ready to slag off the more able musicians, take a gander at this review.

If you want a comparison from the same guy, you need look no further than review ...as published on this site two days ago. Tomorrow...a daring bid to rescue a New York publishing company of a village idiot... joke ;)

Kiwibox.com, a site for teens (kind of like Bolt or Alloy), is currently running a contest featuring Coldplay.

A few grand-prize winners will receive a prize pack that includes a t-shirt, CD, poster, and patches.

Ash have attracted a star-studded line-up for their debut horror film, including Coldplay's Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland.

Ash have been recording a horror movie, 'Slashed'. The gruesome film will feature on a new DVD from the band later in the year. According to the Ash website ash-unofficial, who are helping with the project, the group have convinced a number of stars who they have met while touring to have bit-parts.

The list also includes Moby, The Hives, The Vines, Dave Grohl and Neil Hannon. Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, who has invited Ash to tour the US with them this month, will record his part shortly. Check back soon for more details on coldplaying.com.

Were you at the New York show at the Jones Beach Theater recently? I found this review in the NYpost that seems to suggest a poor showing. Tell me what you think if you were there... mail me at ian@coldplaying.com

"AFTER winning all kinds of kudos for its new album, "A Rush of Blood to the Head," Britain's Coldplay came ashore at the Jones Beach Theater on Thursday to do it live.

But a hit doesn't always justify its hype.

The performance was straightforward enough, bouncing between the band's old songs with the highly praised new stuff. But the delivery was mediocre - a steamroller effect that pounded the tunes flat, giving it all a sonic sameness.

The gig began auspiciously enough with "Politik," where singer Chris Martin placidly demanded, "Give me real, don't give me fake" as he gently pressed piano keys, and in the next instant screamed, "Open up your eyes" as the band crushed the mix in guitar noise and percussion thunder.

That song sure got your attention on the new disc, and it worked live.

But from there, the group moped along like a weird melancholy cross between Radiohead and Pink Floyd.

It sounded good, but was never really engaging. You didn't want to stand and move to the music, although you stood anyway because the folks in the rows in front of you were on their feet.

Martin is chatty and personable on stage, but he has a smug elitism that leaks into his banter. He made fun of boy band *NSYNC for its brand of pop, then offered his twist on the same form. It was like a guy with a dirty magazine saying how terrible it was, all the while slowly flipping the pages.

Granted, Martin made a lot of people smile when he paid homage to Nelly, inserting the "let's take off all our clothes" lines from "Hot in Herre" into a Coldplay number.

This is a band that has the material, but has yet to find its delivery in concert."

Coldplay had to cancel their show in Atlanta - but surprised fans by playing an impromptu gig in the car park next door!

The band are currently on a North American tour in support of their second album 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head'. However, their scheduled date at the outdoor Atlanta Masquerade Music Park (September 14) was pulled after freak weather conditions blew the roof of the stage and rain poured all over their equipment.

In an attempt to leave fans who had travelled with some memory of the day, singer Chris Martin was joined by bandmember Jonny Buckland outside the venue where they played a short, acoustic set. Songs included 'Yellow, 'In My Place', 'Green Eyes' and 'The Scientist'.

The heavy rain and high winds ended up damaging some of Coldplay's equipment during its sound-check, leaving 4,000 ticket-holders without a show to see. When they couldn't find an open venue to move the gig to, Coldplay singer Chris Martin and guitarist Jon Buckland delivered an impromptu acoustic set in the Masquerade's parking lot, while Ash played a free show at Masquerade's club later that evening.

But, the spontaneity didn't stop there. After Ash's set, the members of Ash, along with Martin and Buckland, headed across town to see Dublin's the Frames at the Echo Lounge in East Atlanta, where the bands invited them onstage. Ash performed a short set, including "Kung Fu" and "Shining Light" with Martin on vocals.

By the end of the festivities, members of both bands were onstage for a 90-minute set, which included covers of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind," the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses," Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind," the Pixies' "Debaser," the Monkees' "Daydream Believer," and an acoustic version of Ash's "Burn Baby Burn." The latter song featured Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley and Ash drummer Rick McMurray playing the other's chosen instrument.

Were you there? Do you have pictures? We want to hear from those fans who were lucky enough - ian@coldplaying.com

Sources: NME.com & Allstar news.

Eminem is "everything that democracy and free speech is about", Coldplay singer Chris Martin has claimed in an interview in the US, dotmusic can report.

The 'Don of Disgust' has been given almost unequivocal support by Martin, who has come out fighting behind one of the most controversial musical artists in recent history. Speaking to MTV in America, where Coldplay are making significant inroads commercially and critically, Martin insisted that Eminem's ability to voice his own opinions so graphically was "amazing".

"Eminem is amazingly important in the world of music. To me, Eminem is everything that democracy and free speech is about. He says what he wants about who he wants and I think that's amazing. I don't necessarily agree with everything Eminem says, but everything he gets away with is brilliant because you should be allowed to voice your opinion like that," Martin commented.

The band have a few TV appearances coming up. On September 12th they will be Jay Leno's musical guests on The Tonight Show, airing at 11.35pm EST on NBC. Then on the same channel on September 26th at 12.35am they will perform on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

In addition to this, if you have checked the canada section you will know the band will be appearing on Canadian music channel MuchMusic's Intimate & Interactive show on September 22nd at 8pm ET, with an additional Countdown to Coldplay show featuring videos and soundbytes at 7pm ET.

Coldplay will perform live and chat with fans in the studio and via phone, email, and the Speaker's Corner. You can start mailing your questions to the band by emailing coldplay@muchmusic.com, and you have the chance to win wristbands to attend the I&I show by watching MuchMusic at 7pm ET on September 18th or logging on the I&I website here.

Coldplay will be doing a live "Intimate and Interactive" special on MuchMusic (Canada) on September 22 at 7 pm (EST). These are specials where the band plays and answers questions from the audience, email and phone.

Everyone who can watch it, should, as it will be a really cool show.

Here's a link to the MuchMusic site: www.muchmusic.com/events/iandi/coldplay/

After a full week in the shops around the world, here is an update of all the chart positions of A Rush of Blood To The Head.

#1 in:

Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, UAE, UK

as well as Austria #10, Finland #4, France #4, Holland #3, Portugal #5, USA #5

Coldplay have smashed their way to the top of the UK album charts, with a record 2002 first week sell of around 250,000 copies sold.

They have also made it to number one in many other countries across the world for their new album 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head'.

How sweet - Coldplay dedicated a song to the man that held them off the number one slot last night, when they played to a dead sweaty and heaving Forum.

Chris Martin dedicated 'Trouble' to PlayLouder Single Of The Week winner Darius Danesh, saying: "We got beaten by Darius which is fair enough because he's better. We don't mind being beaten by him because he's more handsome than us. This is for him."

It's true as well. He is better. The band also found time to drop a few cover versions, including Echo and The Bunnymen's 'Lips Like Sugar', and Ash's 'Shining Light'. Odd. Oh, and they did 'Happy Birthday' for their manager, Phil Harvey.

Coldplay will now play a second show at The Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland on Sunday, October 27th. This is in addition to the show on Friday, October 25th as previously announced.

The new Coldplay album, 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head' went straight into the No.1 spot in the Irish Album Charts at the weekend with the highest first week's sales of any new album released in Ireland this year.

For those who missed Chris Martin's interview on Enough Rope with Andrew Denton you can watch it all again (in three parts) here

[Thanks FluMTonks]

Rockaby! Lullaby Renditions of Coldplay is the front runner of the three Baby Rock CD's that were released yesterday.

Rockabye Baby! transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. The soothing sounds of the glockenspiel, vibraphone, mellotron, and other instruments will lull your baby into a sweet slumber. Using Coldplay’s gorgeous melodies and imagery, these gentle recordings are sophisticated enough for everyone to enjoy. Introduce the apple of your eye to these essential masterpieces of rock’n’roll.

Tracklisting:

1 In My Place | 2 Clocks | 3 Yellow | 4 The Scientist | 5 Don’t Panic | 6 Trouble | 7 God Put a Smile Upon Your Face | 8 Daylight | 9 Politik | 10 Everything’s Not Lost

You can join the AOL listening party here

Scottish singer Sandi Thom used to serve Coldplay their lunch during the sessions for the band's hit album A Rush Of Blood To The Head.

The 25-year-old, who recently had a number one hit in the UK with I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker, was working as a dinner lady in the canteen in Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, England at the time.

She says, "I've always been a big fan so I was pretty starstruck when I saw them. "I was shaking really badly when I was serving the food. I was so worried about spilling something over Chris (Martin). "I didn't even ask for advice."

Q: The video to "white shadows" is it true that gwyneth is going to direct it? and when will white shadows available?

A: Nope, its live footage as far as i know (Debs, official site)

More on this here [thanks just_cass]

The Beatles have topped the latest poll to find the nation's favourite Number One album.

Their most famous record, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, was yesterday revealed as the public's favourite record to have topped the album charts.

More than 220,000 votes were received by Radio 2 to compile the list, which was arranged to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the official UK album chart.

Aptly, the victory for the album comes on the 40th anniversary of the last public performance by the Fab Four - a live concert in San Francisco.

Dark Side of the Moon, by prog rockers Pink Floyd, won the "best of the rest" list, leading the votes for albums that did not reach number one in the chart - it only reached number two in 1973.Michael Jackson comes second on the overall list with Thriller, followed by U2's record The Joshua Tree, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, and Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here.

The Beatles' revolutionary 1966 record, Revolver, comes in at number six on the list, followed by Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water, the Beatles' last studio album, Abbey Road, and the top 10 is completed by Queen's A Night at the Opera and The Beatle's eponymous 1968 double album, aka the White album.

Simon Mayo, presenter of the run down, said: "It is a very impressive list and no surprise at all that Sgt Pepper is at the top. It revolutionised music and is what we expect from an album. A fine choice indeed."

Misspellings by voters keen to take part in the poll also saw votes go to The Dark Side of the Room (instead of the moon) by Pink Floyd and Achtung Bono (instead of Baby) by U2. Other blunders included fans voting for Codplay (Coldplay) and Oink Floyd (Pink Floyd).

Since the inception of the official albums chart in 1956, there have been 787 number one albums. Darren Haynes, marketing manager of the UK chart, said: "The list of No 1 albums is instantly interesting because it highlights the fact that such classics as Dark Side Of The Moon, Bat Out Of Hell, Ziggy Stardust and Hotel California failed to reach the Number One slot.

"With over 220,000 votes received from the British public, this is the most definitive record of the nation's favourite albums to date." There were only 201 votes between Sgt Pepper at number one and Thriller at number two on the list.

The "best of the rest" list included, at number two, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie, followed by Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf, Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, The Wall by Pink Floyd, Hunky Dory by Bowie, The Bends by Radiohead and Nevermind by Nirvana.

The BBC Radio 2 Music Club Top 100 Albums list in full:

1 Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – Beatles

2 Thriller – Michael Jackson

3 The Joshua Tree – U2

4 Rumours – Fleetwood Mac

5 Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd

6 Revolver – Beatles

7 Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel

8 Abbey Road – Beatles

9 A Night At The Opera – Queen

10 The Beatles (The White Album) – Beatles

11 Rubber Soul – Beatles

12 Brothers In Arms – Dire Straits

13 (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? – Oasis

14 Automatic For The People – REM

15 Led Zeppelin IV (Four Symbols) – Led Zeppelin

16 Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette

17 Parallel Lines – Blondie

18 Tubular Bells – Mike Oldfield

19 Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin

20 Band On The Run – Paul McCartney & Wings

21 Hounds Of Love – Kate Bush

22 Definitely Maybe – Oasis

23 Graceland – Paul Simon

24 Ray Of Light – Madonna

25 Who’s Next – Who

26 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John

27 OK Computer – Radiohead

28 Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols – Sex Pistols

29 Aladdin Sane – David Bowie

30 Out Of Time – REM

31 A Rush Of Blood To The Head – Coldplay

32 Scissor Sisters – Scissor Sisters

33 X & Y – Coldplay

34 Born In The USA – Bruce Springsteen

35 Like A Prayer – Madonna

36 A Hard Day’s Night – Beatles

37 Confessions On A Dancefloor – Madonna

38 Parachutes – Coldplay

39 Harvest – Neil Young

40 Bad – Michael Jackson

41 American Idiot – Green Day

42 A Kind Of Magic – Queen

43 Faith – George Michael

44 Fever – Kylie Minogue

45 Back In Black – AC/DC

46 Let It Be – Beatles

47 Like A Virgin – Madonna

48 The Unforgettable Fire – U2

49 Imagine – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Flux Fiddlers

50 Help! – Beatles

51 Arrival – Abba

52 Led Zeppelin 3 – Led Zeppelin

53 Urban Hymns – Verve

54 Spice – Spice Girls

55 Sing When You’re Winning – Robbie Williams

56 Let’s Dance – David Bowie

57 Hopes And Fears – Keane

58 Diamond Dogs – David Bowie

59 Escapology – Robbie Williams

60 Parklife – Blur

61 Rattle And Hum – U2

62 Hot Fuss – The Killers

63 How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb – U2

64 True Blue – Madonna

65 Sticky Fingers – Rolling Stones

66 Music – Madonna

67 A Day At The Races – Queen

=68 War – U2

=68 Life Thru A Lens – Robbie Williams

70 No Angel – Dido

71 Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin

72 Swing When You’re Winning – Robbie Williams

=73 Super Trouper – Abba

=73 Let It Bleed – Rolling Stones

75 All Things Must Pass – George Harrison

76 Spiceworld – Spice Girls

77 Dare! – Human League

78 Different Class – Pulp

79 Please Please Me – Beatles

80 Back To Bedlam – James Blunt

81 So – Peter Gabriel

82 All That You Can’t Leave Behind – U2

83 Diva – Annie Lennox

84 Paranoid – Black Sabbath

85 The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan

86 Songs About Jane – Maroon 5

87 By The Way – Red Hot Chili Peppers

=88 The Division Bell – Pink Floyd

=88 Scary Monsters And Super Creeps – David Bowie

90 Play – Moby

91 Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1 – George Michael

92 Dangerous – Michael Jackson

93 Voulez-Vous – Abba

94 Innuendo – Queen

95 Demon Days – Gorillaz

96 Love Over Gold – Dire Straits

=97 The Album – Abba

=97 Come On Over – Shania Twain

99 I’ve Been Expecting You – Robbie Williams

100 Welcome To The Pleasuredome – Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Hollywood superstar Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly became so addicted to British reality TV show Big Brother, she had every episode taped.

The 'Emma' star, who is married to Coldplay rocker Chris Martin, loves to unwind in front of the television after a full day of running around after young children Apple and Moses.

A friend told the Daily Express: "Gwyneth is not normally one for reality TV but she started watching Big Brother to unwind from her day with her small kids. She watched whenever she could and really got into it. The final couple of weeks she watched almost every night and had what she couldn't see taped. She says she's really going to miss it but Chris is very happy - he hates reality TV with a vengeance."

A couple of months ago, Chris filmed a cameo role for an episode of Extras. The forthcoming second series, created by comedian Ricky Gervais, will be screened later this year on BBC and HBO TV. For those of you not familiar, you can get a taste of the genius first series by clicking here.

We will let you know when the episode will be transmitted but in the meantime, you can click here to read about the new series and find out which celebrities will also be making an appearance.

Source: coldplay.com

But they're 'looking forward' to working with his band

Parlophone have played down reports that they have signed Pete Doherty. Newspapers this morning (August 29) suggested the former Libertine had signed with the label for around £1 million.

However the home of the likes of Lily Allen and Coldplay have distanced themselves from those stories, though have admitted they had been in "talks" with Doherty. A spokesperson for the label issued NME.COM with the following brief statement: "We are looking forward to making a great record with Babyshambles."

Meanwhile, as previously reported, Doherty is due in court for sentencing on September 4 for several drugs charges. He has been warned by magistrates he faces "the possibility of custody".

Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow is branching out into the music business, and will direct her husband Chris Martin in Coldplay's next video.

The 33-year-old Sliding Doors star is now actively seeking work behind the camera, as it is an easy way for the pair to be together.

An insider says, "Gwyneth has said she's keen to direct pop videos said Chris has agreed to let her direct one for Coldplay. "She loves the band and their music, and it's a way for her and Chris to be together while he's working."

More on this story here [thanks jonnybucklandhasnicehats]

TMF (The Music Factory) showed a video featuring the relationship between Gwyneth Paltrow and her hubby Chris Martin, lead singer for Coldplay. There's a 5 year age difference between the couple. You can see the clip here

Meanwhile, you can see a clip of Chris and Gwyneth singing together on stage here [thanks bobantang]Cameron Diaz. Courteney Cox. Bo Derek. Sure, they're all super-hot, but they have something else in common: they're involved with younger men. The classic May-December romance has a new, 21st-century twist: more and more ladies are getting to play "December."

Tune into VH1 for this hour-long special that explores the new relationship trend. All Access: Older Babes, Younger Guys will profile the convention-breaking couples that are heating up tabloids and movie screens across America.

Such cradle-robbing cuties as Pam Anderson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, and Halle Berry will make appearances in some of the following categories:

Rock of Ages: Which will explore the relationships of musicians like Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown.

What's Love Got To With It: Covering the boy-toys that ladies like Ivana Trump and Lorraine Bracco have been playing with

Freud Would Have a Field Day With This: Which looks at couples more than just a few years apart, like Barbara Hershey and Naveen Andrews, who have a 21-year age gap.

All Access: Older Babes, Younger Guys will consult a panel of comedians and sexperts to comment on the growing acceptance of couples where the guy is the hot, young arm-candy. The pundits will assist in telling the stories surrounding the romances, providing pertinent narrative lines and lending their personal insight on the subject.

So get your Botox treatments and book some time at the spa, and then join VH1 to find out why young cuties are not just for men anymore.

Via Debs from the official site:

Back in March you may remember we filmed the shows in Toronto. Just to update you, this footage will now be screened as a televised event sometime in the future. When we know the full details we’ll of course let you know more.

There's a new Ezine in production which will feature an exclusive interview with the band's photographer, Penny Howle. Watch out for that in September.

You can discuss this here [thanks just_cass]

Thanks to DefDazz for the following information:

October 30

Aimee Mann - One More Drifter in the Snow

Barry Manilow - The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties

Bootsy Collins - Christmas Is 4-Ever

Coldplay - Twisted Logic Live (with bonus dvd)

Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist (US)

George Michael - 25: the best of George Michael

Megadeth - United Abominations

Tenacious D - The Pick Of Destiny

Underworld & Gabriel Yared - Breaking & Entering OST

Willie Nelson - Willie Nelson & The Cardinals

VA - Goa 2006 Vol. 5

Organisers of the proposed Rock The Rock music festival have received approval in principle to hold the event in Noble's Park, Douglas.

The two-day event, on July 28 and 29 next year, could feature 16 acts performing on a single main stage to 35,000 people. Douglas Council has given approval in principle for the park to be used. Council Leader David Christian said: 'From a personal point of view I think it will be tremendous for the Island.'

The festival's website stated it 'could be a landmark decision for the Island'. It added: 'Obviously there are many aspects of the festival still to be discussed, but as organisers we are extremely pleased with the decision and see this as another positive step forward for what we know will be a great event.'Aquarius Media is organising the festival and has been asking fans who they want to be on the bill. People registering for tickets have been able to choose from a list of artists and make suggestions of their own. Coldplay are topping the list of acts while the Arctic Monkeys are topping the poll of suggestions. No acts have been confirmed by the organisers as of yet, although Coldplay's management have been approached.

Major UK staging, lighting, sound and video suppliers have expressed interest in being involved and some are already in place.

Source: http://www.iomonline.co.im