This year is the 40th anniversary of the split up of the British band The Beatles.
The Beatles created a new concept of music, the rock and pop-rock music that we know nowadays. For nine years, more or less, they were one of the most famous and influential bands in Britain and also around the world because of their music and their lyrics about society problems and world worries. But in 1969 they broke up because they began to have some differences among them although the date of their official rupture was in 1970 and each component of the band started their solo career. Nowadays, even being separated and two of them dead, the band is still very famous over the world and people continue singing their songs. We can say that they made history in music.
This year because of the anniversary, the Spanish newspaper El País gave every Sundays during the months of September and October the mugs with the covers of the Beatles’ albums and it published an article with the story of each album. Now, the same newspaper, every Sunday of December gives beautiful coasters with the cover of the albums too.
Apple Corps Ltd and EMI Music have made another special thing because of the anniversary. They have made a remastered compilation of all their albums. For the fans is a good opportunity but not everybody can afford buying it.
These things prove that The Beatles is a very important band in the history of the music.
By Rocío Gutierrez
The world of music is being destroyed due to the illegal downloading from the internet and other forms of pirating, but some artists try to make this not to happen, so they trust their fans to buy their CDs in shops, which is legal and the singer obtains benefits for himself. That´s why they continue releasing new CDs.
Alejandro Sanz PARAISO EXPRESS
After severalyears without appearing in the music world, Alejandro Sanz has decided to appear with a triumphant return to it; and what a better form to do it that releasing a new CD. Since 1989 he has recorded eight musical works, which included songs that have become very famous in our society: if you ask anybody to hum, "Corazón partio" for example, I am sure that the person could do it without any problem. In his last CD called "Paraiso Express", released in November 2009, he has collaborated with a famous singer, Alicia Keys (she is also in a good moment in her career), whom he has recorded his first single "Looking for paradise".
The new album has a more rock style than th eprevious one (which used to be pop music), has a more lively and rhythmic spirit and the lyrics are more positive. It has become the number one in the charts in a very little time.
Shakira SHE WOLF
The amazing new album was co-written and produced by Shakira, who worked with a diverse range of superstar producers and songwriters, including Pharrell Williams and the Neptunes, Wyclef Jean, Timbaland and John Hill.
"She Wolf" was first heralded by its title track, which quickly became a global smash, driven by its infectiouselectro groove and attention-grabbing video. The follow-up singles "Did It Again" and "Give It To me" (the latter recorded for the special US version of the album), both continued
Shakira´s latest assault on th eworld's airwaves, once again proving her ability to make surefire pop smashes while also innovating her sound.
"This was a sonic experimental trip," she agrees. "I wanted to play around with electronic, beats, synthesizers and I began to research folk from other countries looking for new influences that allowed me to combine electronics with world sounds, tambourines, clarinets, oriental and Hindu music, dancehall, etc." she has said. "You never know the final destination of a creative project, but from the beginning I wanted to make sure the kicks hit really hard."
She succeeded. Not only does "She Wolf" kick like a mule, it reafirms Shakira´s position at the very top of the pop tree.
Leticia Pérez
Saratoga SECRETOS Y REVELACIONES
This is a Spanish band which launched a new CD last September and they have a very good future in heavy metal style.
By José María Gómez
Sidonie EL INCENDIO
Fifth album by this Catalan band which has been recorded in the mythical Abbey Road Studios where The Beatles used to record themeselves. They have gone to London as they recognised a special influence from the band of Liverpool and you can trace these influences in some of their songs and by the use of pop and psychodelia.
Considered to be one of the most symbolic bands, let’s remember that years back they sang in English in their first two CDs, although like most of other Indie Spanish bands they gave it up and decided to sing in Spanish.
Loquillo ROCK & ROLL STAR (1980-2010)
Loquillo es probably one of the best well-known singers in Spain. Since he started with his band The Trogoloditas in the 80s he has released many albums and has been on stage ever since.
He has released a box-set including 5 CDs and 3 DVDs where you have the best of his work through the last 30 years. This compiliation is called “Rock & Roll Star (1980-2010)”. You will also find previously unreleased songs, colaborations with other singers, poems adapted into songs, and a total review of his incredible career. Besides, this box-set incluyes a 200 page book with his lyrics, as well as newspapers articles . Lastly, there is a documental and lots of photographs to enjoy this wonderful material of one of the most outstanding Spanish artists.
NO MORE DOWNLOADING?
Fighting piracy on the Internet is a concern shared by countries such as Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and United States, which have equipped already or are developing legislation to do this to try to tackle it.
In Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s government is looking for a formula that correct the controversial additional provision in the preliminary draft law on sustainable economy which aims to fight piracy on the web.
Preliminary draft sustainable economy Act provides for the establishment of a Commission on intellectual property, an administrative body under the Ministry of culture, with the power to close web pages that infringe copyright.
However, sources of the Executive have explained that any administrative decision has and will have a judicial control.
After the controversy raised between "bloggers", Internet users - and also the political opposition - the Executive study will intervene when the judge to close a page before or after a decision of the Commission on intellectual property.
In France, first administrative failure Internet who illegally network download content protected by copyright notices will begin shipping in early 2010.
The law gives judges the power to authorize the suspension of the internet access holders people a line from which carried illegal discharges repeatedly and after having been warned of this.
The Constitutional Council, however, refused to be judges who establish the amount of the damages for holders of intellectual property rights because it considered that rightful clarify the legislative power.
The same body had previously rejected that one was an administrative authority which cut the internet access, but it should be a judge which identify this sanction.
British internet users that repeat the illegal downloads will be disconnected from the network, announced the Minister of enterprise, Peter Mandelson on October 28.
Mandelson said that he is considering introducing a similar to the approved measure in France.
The Minister said that it will be a measure to be applied as a last resort and which will only enter into force once the "pirates" have previously received two letters of warning.
Mandelson recalled the copyright-based industries to employ in the UK to 2 million people and annually generate some 16,000 million pounds (17.670 million euros, or $ 26.125 million).
Only one of every 20 songs that are downloaded in the UK are lowered legally.
In Germany is pending approval a law to force internet providers to block web pages of paedophile rings and child pornographic content.
United States has for some years a unit specializing in cybercrime FBI (Federal Bureau of investigation), which has become one of the most active worldwide in this area.
This unit has the ability to close a website if it detects that he is committing an offence, but always in collaboration with the Attorney General's Office or through a court order.
The main offences detected are malicious dissemination of computer viruses, pornography or paedophilia, offences against intellectual property, attacks against national security, activity of entities of organized crime and fraud online.
By Jorge González
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GOODBYE TO ANTONIO VEGA
Spanish pop singer-songwriterAntonio Vega died this year from a cancer. He was 51 years old. In 1980 he formed the band Nacha Pop. It was the beginning of what was known as “La Movida Madrileña”, and very soon they became one of the most outstanding bands. They released six albums and were praised and imitated by many other bands. Probably the most well-known song is “La chica de ayer” which nowadays is considered an anthem. In 1988 the band broke up with some gigs and a Live album.
In 1988 Antonio began a solo career showing an intimist songwriter and becoming one of the most important icons in Spanish music. His debut album in 1991 included a song where he admited being a drug addict. Since then his problems with drugs led him into a life full of ups and downs, but filled with high quality albums. Lots of colaborations with other singers and wondeful versions have been constant through the years while he released six studio albums.
Without any doubt, one of the best references of Spanish pop music admired and respected by everyone.
LONG LIVE THE BEATLES
BRUTAL FESTIVAL
The first of May of 2009 two friends and I go to Laredo, to the Brutal Festival. We had bought the tickets weeks ago.
At 17:30 the first group called “Michael Schenker Tribute” started to play. We were in the first row opposite to the group. The sound of the band was perfect, making it a very good peformance.
One hour later, at the 18:30 The Roñas come to stage. They were very communicative and animated the people a lot. More and more people were coming in.
After them it was to buy some bocattas and drinks.
After played On twenty nails. The singer was very communicative and they were the more extroverted and sociable band of the festival, and the funniest too.
The night started to fall on us, and at the 20:30 came to stage one of the biggest groups of the festival, Adgar. By then, the football pitch was almost full and everybody jumped with their songs. Wonderful performance with very good musicians and a pyrotechnics effects.
We had to wait for quite a lonh time because they had to prepare the stage for the next group, but it was worthy. Warcry came out and it was fantastic. Everybody knew their songs. The sound could have been better but their performance was the best of the festival.
At midnight and after waiting for very long with the football pitch completely full Mago de Oz appeared. The people went crazy. They played a lot of their old songs. I was lucky to shake hands with the singer and the drum player. It was a great experience.
By Amado Muriedas
