Music & Entertainment Blog

Starting to learn an instrument can seem like a daunting task when you are an absolute beginner. That's why here at Flame Tree we're dedicated to making to process as painless as possible with our range of helpful music books across a range of instruments and skillsets.

Both understated and complex, Johnny Cash survived a roller-coaster 50-year career and transcended his 1950s country-and-western roots to become a popular music icon continually appealing to new generations. He is remembered as a groundbreaking figure in a number of musical genres, from country through to gospel to rock’n’roll.

While seemingly not as remarkable or unbelieveable as other rock album releases this year, Slash's new album, World on Fire, is a testament to his perseverance throughout his life and his status as a rock god. Released in September, it was received to wide acclaim, and it shows how even though his projects in the past have fallen apart, his desire to create music carries him though life.

On October 27th, a remastering of Led Zeppelin IV and Houses of the Holy, two of the most popular, chart-topping rock 'n' roll albums ever created, will be released along with companion albums of never before released rough tracks and other related music. "The material on the companion discs presents a portal to the time of the recording of Led Zeppelin,” says Jimmy Page, lead guitarist and producer of this project. “It is a selection of work in progress with rough mixes, backing tracks, alternate versions, and new material recorded at the time.” Led Zeppelin has been a classic, hugely popular band since its inception, and with all of the latest technological advances, why wouldn't Jimmy Page want to improve on something that was already so great? The first three albums (Led Zeppelin I, II, and III) were released in June, and the rest of the albums will be released later, but it is not everyday that a feat like this happens. The fact that Jimmy Page himself is acting as the main force behind the project makes it all the more incredible.

Woohoo! The Who have released their first new track in eight years! 'Be Lucky' is a classic Who rocker, which references AC/DC and Daft Punk and oozes a positive, go-getting mentality wholly appropriate to its placement on upcoming two-cd compilation The Who Hits 50. Not many bands make it to 50 years – sticking together and continuing to flourish in the music industry, which is why their 50th anniversary tour this winter is so incredible! This is their last long tour – which is not to say that they'll stop performing all together; it's just that they've gotten older, as everyone does, so they can't handle the stress and enormous amount of effort that it takes to set out on a long tour. Roger Daltrey has been a part of this ground-breaking band since the very beginning - he is even credited with being the group's founding member!

Any Swiftie worth his or her salt will be aware that the beautiful country come pop-star has just released her new single, Shake It Off. This is the first track from her upcoming album 1989 and we're very excited to hear more.

It was recently announced that One Direction had the top selling album of 2013. Beating pop royalty like Beyonce and rap superstar Eminem, the British boys have taken their success to the next level by finally cracking America. Like the Beatles did back in the 60's, gaining popularity over the pond is the only way to crystalise a musician's legacy. So, what is it that makes One Direction so popular? Whether you are merely the parent of an adoring fan, or perhaps someone who is unable to remove a catchy lyric from your head on the way to work, it is almost impossible to deny the success of their whirlwind career.