Rob Howell

After her triumphant success as Carmen in Riga, London, and Munich, Elina Garanca, “the Carmen of our day” (News, Austria), took the Metropolitan Opera by storm when filmed live in January 2010 for this 2-DVD release.
Every generation has its “go to” Carmen. In 2010, the list of definitive gypsy seductresses – glittering with names like Baltsa, Bumbry, Calvé, Farrar, and Stevens – is enriched by the addition of Elina Garanca.
Garanca is joined by superstar tenor Roberto Alagna, who gives an impassioned and fiery performance as the infatuated and eventually murderous Don José.
The Wiener Zeitung said it all when it observed of Garanca’s Carmen that “the role and the singer are perfectly matched”.

Austin, Texas - In the fall of 1989 guitarist Matt Clark placed an ad in the local alternative mag “The Austin Chronicle” seeking musicians for a hard rock project. Fellow guitarist Louie Beltran answered the ad and the two quickly bonded over bands like White Lion and Dokken. They began writing songs together, solidified the vision, and set out to find their future bandmates. Next to join the fold was drummer Steve Miller who happened to share a class with Matt at the University of Texas. The band still needed a bass player and lead singer. Both roles were filled when Robert Ferebee entered the picture. They named the band Sky High and started playing shows at a local concert venue called “The Back Room.” Before long they were playing shows all across Texas.

The 7th annual collection for Blind Raccoon (third in partnership with Nola Blue) has been a favorite with DJs and attendees at the International Blues Challenge, with funds raised to benefit The Blues Foundation's HART Fund. The Blind Raccoon and Nola Blue Collection Volume III contains 32 compositions. An array of Blind Raccoon clients, including both independent and label artists, are represented as noted in the song credits.