Bobby Womack and Damon Albarn meet and greet - New York Soho event

USA fans and all fans in America - heads up! Damon Albarn is going to be in New York's Apple Store Soho next week to present legendary soul singer Bobby Womack's latest album, 'The Bravest Man In The Universe' to all. 

Now that Africa Express is over, the Blur front-man duly heads to America for a meet and greet in the large Apple music store. This CD event will involve Damon Albarn, Bobby Womack and Richard Russell, performing a few short songs from the album and answering some questions.

The date of this special event is September 18th at exactly 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

For those who have been following Damon's non-Blur career, he produced Womack's album, which was released on June 11th 2012.  This is the singer's first LP of original songs in nearly 18 years. The two musicians have collaborated for Gorillaz on the band's third album 'Plastic Beach', with 'Cloud of Unknowing' featuring vocals by Womack.

Very exciting news for fans in New York - Damon Albarn has got to be the most hard working man in the musical universe.

Check out Apple Store's Soho page (Apple Store SoHo, 103 Prince Street, New York), with directions and more to the event here.

Preview Bobby Womack's album 'The Bravest Man In The Universe' on iTunes here.

Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

Order the new Blur boxset HERE
Blur first ever 2012 gig-  Maida Vale gig full coverage HERE

Blur Exhibition review and photos HERE

Margate Gig (2012) review and pictures HERE

Rumours: Blur still play live after Hyde Park? HERE

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Damon Albarn to compose tune for BBC's 90th anniversary

So after the remarkable Africa Express finale two days ago, we've got once again some new Albarn news. And it's big.

Damon Albarn, who seems to be gaining more and more collaborative opportunities (including with Sir Paul McCartney) after Blur's successful Hyde Park concert, will curate 'Radio Reunited', an event to celebrate 90 years since the British Broadcasting Company BBC transmitted it's first show via radio.

What an honour it must be for Damon to be chosen, amongst all the other musicians in England.  He completes Africa Express.

Digitalspy reports on the juicy details:

Radio Reunited will air across all local, network and national BBC stations, along with the World Service; reaching a potential global audience of 120m people. 

The three-minute transmission will be based on recorded messages from listeners around the world on the theme of the future. 

Each of the around 60 participating BBC radio stations will select one message from their listeners, and then these will be mixed together and set to a score composed by Blur frontman Albarn. 

He said: "I love the idea of stations across Britain and the World Service coming together, with all of our different lives and circumstances, even if it's only for a few minutes. It's a powerful idea." 

The landmark BBC broadcast will form the centrepiece for the BBC's celebration of 90 years on the airwaves, along with a range of special programming planned across BBC stations 

The process of pulling together Radio Reunited starts this week, when listeners will be invited to contribute a short messages to their favourite BBC station, addressing the future generations who may be listening to radio 90 years from now. 

Graham and Damon on BBC's Steve Lamacq show

Blur have had a long standing relationship with the BBC - airing new debuts...interviews

One message from a lucky listener will be sent to Damon Albarn from each station. He will then string them together into a unique 3 minute composition which will be played on air. It's the idea of bringing together each and every single radio station from BBC, to celebrate the company's long history.

So, first Blur at the Olympics, then now this grand, large scale production ? Damon Albarn seems to be getting the best of all worlds in 2012. That's why he's looking very pleased with himself these days!











Radio Reunited will be held on November 14th, at 5:33pm GMT. Remember to tune into this exciting show online at BBC.co.uk and listen to Damon debut his new song.

Paul McCartney joins Damon Albarn in Africa Express finale

Paul McCartney joined Damon Albarn and 40 other musicians abroad the Africa Express train musical tour, and performed two Wings song on September 9th 2012.

Right after being awarded the French Legion of Honour, the Beatles singer met Damon Albarn in Granary Square and hopped on board the train.



Sir Paul McCartney also performed alongside Led Zepplin's bassist John Paul Jones, Tony Allen and Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals. A star studded cast for the last night of Damon Albarn's newest tour.

After rumours that Gorillaz will collaborate with Paul McCartney were rejected a few years ago, many were probably wondering when Damon Albarn and the legendary Beatles singer will cross swords. So, here it is...finally our Beatles-Gorillaz-Blur connection!

Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

Order the new Blur boxset HERE
Blur first ever 2012 gig-  Maida Vale gig full coverage HERE

Blur Exhibition review and photos HERE

Margate Gig (2012) review and pictures HERE

Rumours: Blur still play live after Hyde Park? HERE

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Blur - Sir Elton John's Cock Lyrics

Blur Lyrics - 

Sir Elton John's Cock

And now

The world's to end

The world

At the end

But I know

Myself won't be there

when everything's over no

I won't say goodbye my friend

No no

Not goodbye my friend

Cos tomorrow 

Will be a new day

And we will have to go

Yeah we wouldn't have to go

Damon Albarn having the 'party of his life' after Blur

Before we get to the details, look - Damon Albarn played Gorillaz during his Africa Expres Train tour!

Dailystar reports that Damon Albarn is "having the time of his life thanks to booze from the Olympics". According to recent interviews, the singer is having the ultimate musical party of his life after embarking on an Africa Express Train tour, all around the UK and Scotland.

And with many other prominent musicians, including Jarvis Cocker, Gruff Rhys, Eliza Doolittle, Rizzle Kicks and many African musicians on the train, the Africa Express is indeed a musical riot. 

Party!... from xlrecording's twitter 

Damon peering out of his train of music

Dailystar reports comprehensively: 



“It’s a 24-hour party.

"It’s not necessarily a massive drunken party, but it’s one celebrating music and how it makes us feel.” The final date this Saturday at King’s Cross Granary climaxes the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Festival.

Damon added: “There’s a bar on the train, it’s booze left over from the Olympics that takes up a few carriages.” Africa Express began in 2006, with Damon wanting it to show the brighter side of the continent. 

He explained: “It reminds people that Africa isn’t the cliché of this struggling place ravaged by war and famine. Those are very big problems there, but it’s also a very exciting continent, futuristic and forward-thinking in many respects.” The gigs, including “some pretty surprising” guest stars on Saturday, are totally unrehearsed. 

Damon laughed: “It’s rhythmical, groove-orientated stuff, so you go into a bit of a trance on stage. “Although, on a bad day, you think: ‘Oh, this is getting a bit boring.’ It’s a fine line. “But that’s what we’re doing on the train, getting inspired together, so hopefully by London we’ll be fairly articulate.”

Last year’s album Rocket To The Moon which Damon made with Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, 49, and drummer Tony Allen, 72, was inspired by them travelling to Lagos for Africa Express. And Damon revealed: “I might well make another record with people on this trip, you never know.

“That’s one of the joys of Africa Express, that spontaneity.”


Could this mean a new album for Damon Albarn after the tour ends?

The Africa Express train tour is currently up in Glasglow, Scotland as of today. It will end in a finale concert on September 8th 2012 in London's Granary Square, King's Cross.

Check out Africa Express's official website with lots of pictures here 

Although tickets were long sold out, do check out The Guardian's live coverage of the entire tour as it goes along. Damon Albarn sure is looking very happy up on his musical train. It is looking to be an excellent tour.

Tune in for a later post with the very best pictures of Africa Express 2012 - the highlights.

Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

Order the new Blur boxset HERE
Blur first ever 2012 gig-  Maida Vale gig full coverage HERE

Blur Exhibition review and photos HERE

Margate Gig (2012) review and pictures HERE

Rumours: Blur still play live after Hyde Park? HERE

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Blur features in DIY, Loaded Magazine - August 2012

BLUR NEWS: Blur has been featured on many more magazine and media coverage. Highlights include DIY Magazine, where Blur can be found across four fully coloured editorials on Pages 6-10. Read the magazine here: http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/magazine/read/september-2012/

Last month's Loaded Magazine featured Blur on a 6 page cover. There's new / old pics of the band and and an exclusive interview with Alex James. Check out the large scans, awesome Blur union jack logo and some other rare pictures of the band below.

All scans credited to Agrainel. 

Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

Order the new Blur boxset HERE
Blur first ever 2012 gig-  Maida Vale gig full coverage HERE

Blur Exhibition review and photos HERE

Margate Gig (2012) review and pictures HERE

Rumours: Blur still play live after Hyde Park? HERE

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Blur - Hyde Park versus Brit Awards

Quite an interesting comparison - for those who bashed Blur at the Brits for performing poorly... note how the crowd makes or breaks the band.

Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

Order the new Blur boxset HERE
Blur first ever 2012 gig-  Maida Vale gig full coverage HERE

Blur Exhibition review and photos HERE

Margate Gig (2012) review and pictures HERE

Rumours: Blur still play live after Hyde Park? HERE

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Alex James' Big Feastival - Music and fine foods galore

Alex James has been continuing with his various, multicoloured side projects since Blur finished their Hyde Park gig (with Damon Albarn saying there are no plans to continue yet).

For those in the UK and are free on September 1st - 2rd, master chef Jamie Oliver is presenting The Big Feastival with Alex James, a colourful two-day celebration of music, food and fun for all the family, set on Alex James’s very own Oxfordshire farm. 

As mentioned on the website, you can "enjoy music from top acts, tuck into top chef demos in the Big Kitchen and have your fill from The Menu, which brings together pop-ups from top restaurants and the cream of the UK’s street food crop."

Browse the Artisan Food Market for more edible enjoyment from a stunning selection of small producers and food businesses, and between eating, drinking and dancing, join a cookery session, dig a herb garden, raid the dressing-up box or take a spin around the on-site funfair. 

Keep big and little kids happy in the fun-filled Little Dudes Den, where Peppa Pig herself will be among the all-day entertainment highlights – or put them to work in Mini Masterchef and turn them into little Jamies. Go for the day, go camping, or style it out with our glamping options provided by The Pop-Up Hotel – there really is something for everyone.

So, if you want to meet Alex James, or enjoy the music, remember to visit the site for full details of where it is, what’s on and why you mustn’t miss out on the Feastival. Buy tickets here.

Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

Order the new Blur boxset HERE
Blur first ever 2012 gig-  Maida Vale gig full coverage HERE

Blur Exhibition review and photos HERE

Margate Gig (2012) review and pictures HERE

Rumours: Blur still play live after Hyde Park? HERE

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If you missed old news, visit the NEWS ARCHIVE to read about past news!

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Damon Albarn to put Blur aside for now

According to a recent report by Total Essex, Damon Albarn dismissed the 'this-is-all-over' Blur talk that was all over the media before and after Hyde Park 2012. 


On Hyde Park, Damon Albarn was patriotic and very proud to be British: "It was brilliant really. The whole thing was very special. What an extraordinary couple of weeks it's been. The whole Olympics has been brilliant – a tonic for the whole country – and it was an honour to be a part of that.

"I love this country and I love this city. London is our city and I live just round the corner from Hyde Park so when I was given the invitation to do the gig, I jumped at it really."

"I think they are both strong Blur tunes – both sides of Blur really. We wanted to prove that we are still evolving because we have never stood still," said Damon on the new Blur songs.

"The world is a different place – almost unrecognisable – to when we started and the times when Blur fully existed and so are we. That's the whole point.

So what's in for the future? 

"Yes, It's a full stop for now because we've all got other stuff going on – Graham has another solo album due out, Dave is busy with politics and being a lawyer and Alex is combining making cheese and running a farm with his life as a media whore while the African Express sets off round the country this week – but to say it's 'The End', that's not true at all."

There's also a secret - Damon also remarked: "We've talked about it privately and I have my own idea of a scenario but it probably won't be that either because you can't be that clear about such things because you just don't know."

So, 21 years later and the vision is still no clearer than ever. Yes Blur or No Blur, it's still a blurred future. 

Check out Alex James' funny Hyde Park interview about Olympics, crying before the show, closing the show, Blur, Blur being shit and Usain Bolt below. He talks about Blur's fitness levels, Terry Hall and other hilarious little anecdotes. 

All we want to know is - what exactly did Blur discuss about that they can't tell us ? 

Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

Order the new Blur boxset HERE
Blur first ever 2012 gig-  Maida Vale gig full coverage HERE

Blur Exhibition review and photos HERE

Margate Gig (2012) review and pictures HERE

Rumours: Blur still play live after Hyde Park? HERE

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