Sunday, March 18, 2007

Hilary Duff Breakup

Hilary Duff's new album was recorded and written against the background of her breakup:

NEW YORK (Billboard) - As multimedia momentum goes, no one need teach 19-year-old Hilary Duff a thing.

For the past decade, she has built a career that began on TV, peaking in 2001 with her title role in Disney's 65-episode "Lizzie McGuire," making her a name brand among tweens.

Two years later, she recorded a full-length studio album, "Metamorphosis," which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and the single "Come Clean" reached the Hot 100's top 40. The project sold 3.7 million copies -- and an MTV star was born.

With her upcoming album "Dignity," due April 3 via Disney's Hollywood Records label, Duff is coming out with the majesty of a high-class debutante. Duff co-wrote all songs on the album with A-lister Kara DioGuardi (Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera), including the uptempo single "With Love." She is also promoting her new Elizabeth Arden fragrance, With Love, in addition to a clothing line, Stuff by Hilary Duff, available at mass-market retailers Wal-Mart, Kohls and Target.

"I know how lucky I am, but I've worked hard," Duff says. "Who could complain? I've traveled the world multiple times with so many rewards."

For the new album, Duff insisted on being more involved. "I knew I couldn't do it myself, but working with Kara allowed me to talk about things on my mind. It was one big therapy session." During the songwriting process, Duff endured the full scope of a relationship -- true love, doubt, breakup and resolution -- all of which play out during the course of the set's 14 tracks. (The other party was Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden, who is now dating Nicole Richie.)

"True love" at 19 years old is a bit strong isn't it? Teenage infatuation you mean?

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Chuck Berry DVD

I well remember this Chuck Berry concert film when it first came out.

Director Taylor Hackford's "Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll," a documentary about the rock pioneer's 60th birthday concert in 1986, won top honors at the third annual Music DVD Awards Tuesday.

The film was named best of show, beating more than 100 contenders in Home Media Magazine's contest at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel in West Hollywood.

"Hail! Hail!" also won for best vintage concert and best special features/bonus materials. It was released last June by Image Entertainment in two-disc and four-disc configurations.

Judges praised the 1987 film for capturing Berry's fire and passion onstage, as well as the irascible veteran's outrageous exploits before, during and after the concert at the Fox Theater in St Louis, Mo., organized by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, Berry's long-suffering protege.

I must have a look around on Amazon for it. It's bloody good, as they say over here.