Damon Albarn to feature on The Child of Lov's new album

Just days after Damon Albarn was announced as the musician to compose BBC's 90th anniversary celebration score for Project Radio Reunited, there's a new Damon Albarn collaboration track to be released in the coming future.

Relatively unknown, mysterious musician The Child Of Lov is releasing a new album that will feature Blur's Damon Albarn and DOOM. Damon Albarn is set to becoming a guest on the new funk / eclectic artist's forthcoming mixtape.

Today, DoubleSix Records tweeted a new promo clip, accompanied with the message “New project coming up called The Child of Lov. Damon Albarn, MF DOOM & Thundercat are all playing a part! Details soon”.
 

Damon has also featured on several prominent collaborations and appearances for other musicians. Not only did he produce soul legend Bobby Womack's latest album 'The Bravest Man in the Universe', but he also played piano on Ghostigital's track 'Numb' from album Division Of Culture & Tourism (released June 2012).  

Damon's latest released collaboration track - "Bite The Thong"- was from JJ DOOM's album Key To The Kuffs.  

The Child of Lov's first single and video is out on October 8th. Listen to a preview of the mysterious new artist's song below. It sounds quite like Albarn's Gorillaz, mixed in with more electronica, techno, crooning vocals and much more funk. We wonder - what will Damon's collaboration track sound like ?  

Visit The Child of Lov's Soundcloud here to listen to more tracks.

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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30 things you wish you've heard Damon Albarn say - Quotes

"Mr-Quotable" Damon Albarn said many things in his 20+ year musical career, given outrageous interviews, given thoughtful speeches and uttered many very, very memorable phrases. Here's our top 30 Damon Albarn quotes of all time.

 1. "I've got people camping outside my place in Kensington. In sleeping bags. It's not that irritating, except we haven't got any curtains in the front room, so we can't walk round in the nude." - height of Blur fame. 

 2. "Yes, I am a middle-class twat“. “I’ve got a PhD in tits" “It’s good to read a book and get a hard-on at the same time (December 1995 interview) 

 3. "It’s a very romantic idea, to go on a cobbled-together trip on a train with an African diner and rehearsal rooms and sliding doors that allow for playing on to platforms, and people meeting and planning concerts for the evening and watching the English countryside pass by. It’s a beautiful thing." - Africa Express 2012 

4. Have I ever punched anyone in the band? Oh yeah, all of them! I used to punch Alex a lot. He used to say really annoying things deliberately. I almost think he liked being punched. (2000) 

 5. "We'll always be friends now. I like the idea of seeing each other being really old and doddery." (On Graham, Select, 1994) 

 6. I'm a mixed up person. I've got this real essex man vibe...I cant help it... i cant stand the idea of being a sad lonely bed-sit poet... I'd rather be perceived as loud and arrogant. 

 7. "There's always been a hip-hop element to my trousers." 

 8. In the sixties people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, people take Prozac to make it normal. 

 9. "My guaranteed way of sending myself into deep depression is to read music trade papers and watch MTV." 

 10. "What do we stand for?So we don't lie down all the time!" 

 11. "I find computers to be sort of uncharted seas. And as soon as you set out on them, you're lost." - on Technology and why he doesn't use computers 

 12. "I had a Black girlfriend when I was five" - on women 

 13. "It's weird because with guys it's not a long thing ,it's more of a "let's be mates,let's get on stage and ,woargh,nice one!"sort a thing .It's funny , I really love that.If that's as far as I ever get in communicating with people,that's great .I just like the idea of everyone cuddling each other" 

14. "My fantasy Glastonbury would be to be 18 again and to go with a girl that I've just met and that I was really, really into. Either that or go with my mates and meet a girl there. I certainly wouldn't want to go with any famous people. I'd just go and take loads of drugs and watch all my favourite bands. I'd drink, smoke spliff, drop an E and watch The Silver Apples. Er, this is the 18-year-old Damon, not me now talking, of course." (Damon in 1997)

15. "My mum thinks I'm ultra-conservative in the way I dress. Hippy parents just don't understand why you want to wear a shirt and smart shoes." - on Fashion 

16. I really try to avoid all photographs now,I don't know why, I was so into it when I was younger. But let's face it, if you're a good-looking young male with talent you're not going to get taken seriously. I do feel that looks are something you have to get over... It was a great day when I realised I didn't need to see myself any more. I knew who I was... (On aging and looks)

17. "I'm very sexy in the morning." - early Blur interview 

18. "Aww man... Aw, I'm so sweaty I can't play properly any more... And I have difficulties playing anyway, so this just makes it virtually impossible for me. I wanna do this song justice as well." - Just before 'Young and Lovely', B-sides gig 

19. (What will you be if you were not a singer?) A farmer My grandad and uncle were farmers.I used to spend my summers in Lincolnshire on the farm.I'd to get up at 5.30am,and sit on my grandad's tractor. I loved it. 

20. "Cheeky, confident, insecure, sharp, direct." - Albarn on 5 words to describe himself 

21. "There were reports in the papers of people breaking up their relationships, because one liked oasis and the other one liked blur...One woman left her husband because he put our CD in the microwave." - on Blur and Oasis's chart battle 

22. "I have to wear a new T-shirt every night. I throw them into the audience. One day I'm going to go around the world and reclaim all my T-shirts" - on his live shows 

23. "Yeah, Write Songs" (When asked for any tips on songwriting by a budding young songwriter) 

24. "I love the whole atmosphere here.The other day I was walking past the cementery and I could hear singing coming from inside.After a while I realised it was a West Indian family singing a spiritual song.The rhythm sounded so incongruous,yet amazing at the same time.That's what is so special about round here.It's such a rich of cultures and images." - On the Cemetery 

25. "WE ONLY HAD THREE THINGS TO SAY IN OUR FIRST INTERVIEWS: WE'RE GREAT WE'RE NOT AN INDIE BAND AND DON'T JUDGE US NOW - JUDGE US IN FIVE YEARS' TIME. AT LEAST NOW WE'VE DONE SOMETHING THAT LIVES UP TO MY BIG MOUTH." - on Blur interviews 

26. "I've been self-destructive over the years. Anyone who's interested in me will have a rough idea that i've kept a lot of things quiet. I choose not to define my low points." - Q Magazine 2006

27. “Brothers is a much better word. There are moments when we absolutely and utterly connect without even having to say anything and there are other times when we might as well be on other continents. Like now, for example.” - On Graham Coxon, 1997

28. "I'm turning into a croaky old singer" - Hyde Park 2009

29. "I've swapped my youthful promiscuity for something a bit more middle aged" - on getting older ".

30. "My mum’s been having a go at me since I was a teenager about pulling my trousers up. And I have tried, I really did, to keep my trousers up and they always just… drop. Does anyone else have that problem? Am I not alone?" - Margate Winter Gardens  gig 2012 

More Blur quotes coming on this page! 

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

Remember to subscribe to RSS and "LIKE" BlurBalls on Facebook.

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