Paul McCartney has had a mixed last few years, having been married to Heather Mills, and then going through a very messy, very public divorce.

While all of this was going on, he was still writing and recording music, and released Memory Almost Full in 2007.

The album has already sold 100,000 copies in the UK, but now everyone who wants a copy can do so for free, as it’s being given away with every copy of The Mail On Sunday tomorrow, May 18th.

The give-away was announced a couple of weeks ago, and I first read the news on fellow b5 blog The Beatles Invasion. I decided to wait until now to tell of my readers so that they wouldn’t forget about it and miss out on their copy.

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Yesterday, I suggested two songs which you should add to your iPod or mp3 player’s playlist. They were two of the finest songs by British artists out there at the moment, namely Warwick Avenue by Duffy and Without You by The Feeling.

But I wasn’t the only one with recommendations to make, and the whole of the b5 Music Channel also gave their picks for you to listen to. There’s over 40 songs for you to check out, so take your time, listen to the embeds, and watch the videos, and become more educated to new music. Yes, that IS an order.

First of is the other blog I write on the network - Killed By The Video Star, where I sought to give more attention to two woefully underplayed and underrated music videos from a years ago.

The Jazz and Blues Lounge is our online authority for Jazz, so check it out. Keeping with the Jazz era The Good Musician gives us two of the greatest of all time. Finish your third cup of coffee and take it upbeat with either some Pop from Dexie over at Pop Music Scene or download two free metal tracks at Metal Martyr.

From the world of 5 global music Meccas….Jet half way around the globe for two must have Aussie tracks at Oz Music Scene. Heading back to the new music Mecca of America, Big Apple Music Scene gives you two tracks that should be on every iPod.

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Last week, the b5Media Music Channel compiled a collection of songs that we’re all listening to right now, and I thought it was time to share.

As well as my own 10 song list which included Adele and The Feeling, and came all nicely embedded in their own little player, the rest of the channel also had their own choices, and they’re well worth a look (and listen).

Check them out…

Our Digital Music lets us in on a great collection of songs ruling their music player including the great Leonard Cohen and CSNY.

For a taste of what’s hot in New York, Big Apple Music Scene delivers some tracks to check out like ultra-cool MGMT.

Is it time to rock out? Check out Scott’s list at Metal Martyr, you’ll be glad you did!

Toronto is rocking right now with up and coming acts ready to break out. Toronto Unplugged offers a chance to listen to bands such as The Coast.

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The b5 Music Channel recently highlighted their collective choices of one hit wonders.

Some of the blogs went with songs you need to hear, while others focussed on those that you should avoid at all costs.

It makes for some interesting reading, as well as listening and watching thanks to the addition of Songza and YouTube, so check out some of the posts around the network…

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Brit Music Scene remains the best blog on the b5 media network, but there are a lot of other brilliant blogs across the network, and some of the best are those in the music channel.

Mike Laba decided it was time we all got to know each other a bit better, and so is slowly but surely working his way around all of us conducting interviews.

This week’s focus is on Deb Ng, who writes She Plays Music, a log dedicated to female singers, and artists. Is that a bit sexist? Only in the way Brit Music Scene could be described as a bit racist… which it’s not.

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As well as my 10 British Albums I’d like to be stuck on a
desert island with, some of the other blogs around the b5 Music Channel
have also written about their choices.

Lauren offers the best of the Oz Music Scene.

Bruce let’s us in on Our Digital Music.

Scott rocks out his 10 at Metal Martyr.

Jennifer at Hippie Sounds gives us her top 10
60’s & 70’s vinyl albums for island life.

Sammi at 52 Bands gives us the albums she
couldn’t live without.

Mike at Big Apple Music Scene draws from
New York’s historic and legendary artists.

Ear Sucker blogger Roberta throws
you her rock variety.

She Plays Music gives you the
best female albums.

Check them out and see how many of the chosen ones would alos
be on your list of music to take with you if you ever get in to a
‘Lost’ situation.

All the blogs would value some comments, including me, and
when you go on that fateful cruise or plane journey don’t forget the
batteries!

We here at the b5 Music Channel know our stuff, at least we do so far as our own musical niche or genre is concerned. But take us out of our comfort zone and we need to be told who we should be listening to as much as the next man.

So today, 5 of us have posted Top 10 lists unique to our blogs, and they make for intriguing reading. Check them out…

Here at Brit Music Scene we have…
The Top 10 British Music Artists You Need To Discover Before You Die!

Over at Oz Music Scene Lauren has brought us…
10 Aussie Artists To Discover

Over at Big Apple Music Scene Mike tells us the…
Top 10 New York bands you should discover…

Jennifer at Hippie Sounds is trying to bring back the summer of love with…
10 Albums That’ll Add Sunshine to Your World

Roberta at Ear Sucker lets us know her favourites with…
The Top Ten Bands You Should Discover Today

Be sure to read their brilliant posts and leave comments if you get in to any of the bands as a result.

We’ve finally, after weeks of trying, got rid of Rihanna from number 1 in the UK Singles charts. But not before she drilled that bloody ‘Umbrella’ song in to each and every one of our heads, whether we wanted it there or not.

For about 3 months, I had to endure hearing the song twice an hour on the radio, on MTV every 5 minutes, and in every shop, or restaurant I went in. And now, Mandy Moore has decided to cover it!

Reading about it on fellow b5 music channel blog Earsucker, my heart sunk as I realised it was true. Now don’t get me wrong, ‘Umbrella’ isn’t a bad song, it’s catchy, innovative, and Rihanna has a good voice, but I got sick of it after a few weeks of constant airplay.

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Yes folks, this means we are now up and running! Brit Music Scene has officially gone live today and that means it won’t just be my friends and family reading from now on. There are already quite a few posts up for you to read so make sure you scroll down and see what we are all about. You may want to start with my introduction page.

Obviously, Brit Music Scene is your guide to what’s hot or not in the UK music scene today, but there are over 20 more blogs on the same channel as us which have all launched today, so please check them out. Here’s part of the press release, originally posted here…

b5media is extremely pleased to announce the launch of its new music channel featuring 20 blogs focused on a wide variety of genres and geographical locations.

This is b5media’s 14th channel and increases the number of blogs within the network to more than 230.

”Since b5media first launched in September of 2005, we’ve felt the left music scene was being vastly under-deserved by professional blogs,” said Jeremy Wright, b5media’s CEO. “We believe that by bringing together thought leaders in the music space, new music bloggers and plain old music phreaks that we can provide a real place where music lovers from around the world can find bands, music, reviews and content they’ll love!”

The music channel portfolio, headed by channel editor Mike Laba, features blogs about genres such as new age, metal, jazz, punk and crooner scenes as well as hotspots such as New York, Nashville, the U.K. and Australia.

“I’m a huge music fan, and I think music lovers are going to find our blogs to be rewarding places to discover new and exciting bands and artists within various genres and styles,” Laba said. “We’ve assembled a great group of passionate bloggers so whether it’s music discovery or re-discovery, this channel will rock all expectations.”

A Contest To Win An iPod!

To celebrate the launch of the brand spanking new music channel on the b5media network, there’s a great contest going on where you could win an iPod Shuffle and more! Read the details below, originally posted here…

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