Today, we are proud to announce the launch of the iPhone/iPod touch version of our popular iOS app, Blue Note by Groovebug.

Developed by Groovebug, the new Blue Note by Groovebug app for IPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, delivers a rich experience for both jazz aficionados and newcomers alike, providing an immersive way of discovering and enjoying classic jazz recordings from the world’s premiere jazz music record label. It features a deep catalogue of seminal tracks to stream and a wealth of interactive content from iconic Blue Note artists such as Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon and Art Blakey, as well as exclusive features such as Blue Note vocalist José James’ new 11-song playlist of his favorite classic Blue Note tracks from Donald Byrd, Jimmy Smith, Lee Morgan, and others.

The new the new Blue Note by Groovebug app for IPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, available exclusively on the iTunes App Store in the US and the UK, is free to download and features 30 second clips of all the music contained in the app. For a monthly subscription charge of $1.99/£1.49 all of the app’s tracks can be enjoyed in full.

Existing Blue Note iPad app users may share their subscription between their iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices, with Favorites and Playlists automatically synced between devices via iCloud. Music can be easily shared to Facebook or Twitter and users can discuss tracks with fellow jazz fans from right inside the app.

You can click here to email yourself a link, and then open that link in your iPhone. You can also email that link to your friends who may be interested in the new Blue Note App.

The iPhone/iPod touch version features the same quality content and features as the iPad app, released last year, but now conveniently optimized for an iPhone interface (iOS5 / iPhone 3GS upwards, as well as iPod Touch 3). The iPhone/iPod touch app now features a sidebar menu that allows easy access to featured artists, playlists and editorial content, artist navigation, user favorites, user playlists, and settings. The Featured Content screen has been redesigned, and a “Now Playing” bar at the base of all screens allows quick navigation back to music.

High quality audio streams are available (up to 320kbps) via wifi or 3G/4G/LTE networks, however users can choose to limit their streaming quality at 128kbps to reduce data usage. Featured articles, playlists and editorial are available from the Home screen. Artist discographies, biographies, videos, news, and similar artist recommendations are presented on unified and easily navigable Artist pages. All screens are presented within an interface designed for the iPhone.

Don Was, President of Blue Note Records said: “As a label, Blue Note is not only dedicated to pushing boundaries musically, but also to developing new ways of connecting the label’s music with fans around the globe. Groovebug has developed an innovative way to discover and showcase Blue Note music in a way that is consistent with our tradition of uncompromising artistic excellence.”

Neil Tinegate, VP Digital Projects said: “Following on from the success of the iPad version, and listening to our customer’s wishes, we are very excited to bring Blue Note to the iPhone in this way. Once again Groovebug have done superb work in creating a compelling and intuitive way of exploring this great catalogue.”

Jeremiah Seraphine, CEO of Groovebug, said: “We designed the Blue Note by Groovebug iPhone/iPod touch experience from the ground up. It is important to our users to quickly play music, navigate with one hand, and still enjoy the immersive and visually stunning experience we achieved with the iPad app. We’re excited to get this in front of jazz fans everywhere.”

To download the app please go to: http://www.appstore.com/bluenotebygroovebug

~The Groovebug and Blue Note teams

Groovebug Throwback Pick:

Leonhard Cohen - Royal Albert Hall (London, England) Jun 5, 1988

American musical icon Leonard Cohen performed “Tower Of Song” at his appearance during the Prince’s Trust Rock Gala in 1988, and although he was among an army of rock heroes who had worshiped at Cohen’s musical altar over the years, he seemed a bit out of place in this grouping of commercial superstars.

Cohen rarely performs, and performs in England even less frequently, so it was very special when he made an appearance at the event. His music is timeless, and Cohen’s legacy only seems to gain more momentum with each passing year. Indeed, having Cohen at this event gave it a weight that many other charity concerts are not as fortunate in securing.

This performance from the 1988 Prince’s Trust Rock Gala included an all-star cast of the biggest names in the business. Included in the show were Eric Clapton, Elton John, Mark Knopfler of the Dire Straits, Joe Cocker, Queen’s Brian May, the Bee Gees, Howard Jones, Ultravox’s Midge Ure, Rick Astley, Wet Wet Wet, T’Pau, Peter Gabriel, Leonard Cohen, and Phil Collins.

All in all, there was incredible music made at this show. The performers were backed by two all star bands, which played alternatively. The Midge Ure All Star Band featured such players as Queen’s Brian May on guitar; Howard Jones on keyboards; Phil Collins and Mark Brzezicki (from Big Country) on drums; and Mick Karn on bass, among others. The Eric Clapton All-Star Band features “Slowhand” himself on guitar, Elton John on piano, and Mark Knopfler on guitar, along with mostly members from Clapton’s band at the time.

Musically, it was a mix of legendary songs and current Top 40 hits of that time. There are a number of especially memorable moments from the 1988 Prince’s Rock Trust, among them Peter Gabriel’s stunning take on “Sledgehammer”; Joe Cocker’s soaring version of “The Letter” (backed by the Midge Ure All-Stars); and Clapton’s biting version of “Cocaine.” The show ends with the entire cast backing Joe Cocker on his spastic version of the Beatles classic, “With A Little Help From My Friends.” The entire show was broadcast on the King Biscuit Flower Hour in 1988, and was released as a home video some years later.

The show was an overwhelming success both artistically and financially, helping to raise over £48 million for charity. 

The Groovebug Throwback Pick is chosen from the Concert Vault iPad App - hundreds of thousands of exclusive live audio and video performances from the ’50s to the present day - available for you to play whenever, wherever.

Download the app for free and sign up for a free trial at http://smarturl.it/CViPad 

Groovebug Throwback Pick:

The Rolling Stones - Rosemont Horizon (Chicago, IL) Nov 24, 1981

One of the biggest concert draws in America every time they tour, The Rolling Stones continue to pack the biggest arenas with legions of fans, despite having been at it for well over half a century now. There is little question that in terms of the states, experiences in New York and California had great cultural impact on the band, but it’s Illinois - namely Chicago, Illinois, that remains the spiritual epicenter of America as far as The Stones are concerned. The amplified blues that flourished in Chicago, as created by the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Chuck Berry, were indeed the initial inspiration for the group and remain core elements of their music.

Following the 1981 release of Tattoo You, The Stones embarked on an ambitious American tour, performing at stadiums and large arenas, often for multiple nights in the largest cities. Promoted by Bill Graham, over three million tickets would be sold and this tour would become the most profitable in the history of rock and roll up to that time. One of the most memorable nights of the ‘81 tour took place on the evening of November 22nd, an off night in Chicago, while the band was in town preparing for their three-night engagement at the Rosemont Horizon. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Ian Stewart would turn up at Chicago’s Checkerboard Lounge to catch Muddy Waters, joining him on stage and treating the club’s patrons to a remarkable night of spontaneous jamming. Officially released on DVD and CD in July of 2012, this jam with Waters would be his last professionally recorded performance before his death in April of 1983.

Presented here in its entirety is The Stones second gig of their three-night run at Chicago’s Rosemont Horizon - two days later. This is certainly a solid Stones performance, featuring an abundance of their best material and most importantly, an engaged Keith Richards, both vocally and instrumentally. From Under My Thumb, which starts up on a slinky groove before transforming into a hard rocking opener, to Jagger’s exhausted voice at the end of the Satisfaction encore, The Stones rock out and cover all the bases. A surprisingly passionate Time Is On My Side, a highly energized Shattered and a Start Me Up that greatly improves upon the new single version at the time, are all fine examples of the diverse range of material, both old and new, explored on this tour. However, the standout performance may indeed be their cover of Just My Imagination, which rarely came across stronger than it did on this tour.

In retrospect, many now perceive this American tour as one of the better post-1970s Stones tours and it is notable for being the last to feature the core group unadorned by a large supporting cast of musicians and backup singers. Here only ex-Faces keyboardist Ian McLagen and occasional contributions by saxophone virtuoso Ernie Watts augment the core band, allowing The Stones’ to be heard loud, clear and in all their ragged glory.

The Groovebug Throwback Pick is chosen from the Concert Vault iPad App - hundreds of thousands of exclusive live audio and video performances from the ’50s to the present day - available for you to play whenever, wherever.

Download the app for free and sign up for a free trial at http://smarturl.it/CViPad 

Groovebug Throwback Pick:

U2 - Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) Sept 28, 1987

Recorded on the Joshua Tree Tour, when U2 was arguably near the peak of their powers, this remarkable soundboard recording captures the first night of U2’s two-night stand at Madison Square Garden in New York City. A better U2 setlist one would be hard-pressed to find, as they emphasize material from Unforgettable Fire and Joshua Tree, with a few choice oldies and b-sides rounding out the performance.

Passionate performances like this one cemented the bond between U2 and many American listeners, and indeed this night was among those filmed for the Rattle & Hum movie, which celebrates this era. This particular night is also notable for including not one, but two performances of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” - initially surfacing in a powerful rendition early in the set that includes Bono quoting Bob Marley’s “Exodus.” It again turns up during the encore, where the great Harlem gospel choir New Voices Of Freedom join the band onstage.

The Groovebug Throwback Pick is chosen from the Concert Vault iPad App - hundreds of thousands of exclusive live audio and video performances from the ’50s to the present day - available for you to play whenever, wherever.

Download the app for free and sign up for a free trial at http://smarturl.it/CViPad