News …

Pennywise gives away new music for two weeks – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Concert companies battle for supremacy in Arab Gulf states – The Times Online U.K.

Beatles sue to prevent release of 1962 tapes – Associated Press

Who says CDs are dead? Apprehended music store burglar brought CD “shopping list” to crime scene – Leavenworth Times

Songs that target former lovers and friends – The Mirror U.K.

Catching up with Rusted Root – The Commonwealth Times

Views …

The Cure in London – “The Cure take us on a journey through their back catalogue, surging and plunging and soaring again from euphoric pop to the existential despair that marked their early albums Pornography and Disintegration.” – The Independent U.K.

Casting Crowns in Jacksonville, Florida – “…the hottest group of musicians in Christian music rocked the coliseum with selections from all three albums they’ve released since their surprise burst onto the charts in 2003.” – Florida Times-Union

Nanci Griffith in Hartford, CT – “The best singer-songwriters take their own life experience and translate it into stories that are personal and universal.” – The Hartford Courant

X in Madison, Wisconsin – “Their Good Friday performance was equal parts frenetic exuberance, melodic dynamism and savage beauty.” – Channel 3000 / WISC

Ronan Tynan in Columbus, Ohio – “…his voice sounded better than ever last night in his well-attended concert at the Ohio Theatre and he was even more loquacious than usual, joking with the conductor and members of both the audience and orchestra.” – The Columbus Dispatch

Jill Scott in Chicago – “Imagine if Sly and the Family Stone had a jam session with The Roots, Santana, Sonia Sanchez and, let’s say, Etta James.” – The Chicago Tribune

They Say It’s Their Birthday … (Or so says Associated Press)

Nick Lowe is 59

Dougie Thomson (Supertramp) is 57

Louie Anderson is 55

Sharon Corr (The Corrs) is 38

Maceo of (De La Soul) is 38