News …

Owner of Tropicana casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection – Associated Press

Neil Young appearing as keynote speaker at Sun Microsystems’ JavaOne Conference. Yeah, we were surprised, too – San Francisco Chronicle / Tech Chronicle / SFGate.com

Andrea Bocelli – “‘I sold myself short for fame and fortune'” – The Times Online U.K.

Pete Doherty gets early release from jail. NATO alerted – Associated Press

John Mellencamp / Stephen King musical postponed – Associated Press

Remembering Curtis Mayfield – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Views …

Radiohead in West Palm Beach – “But the quintet that kicked off its 2008 tour at Cruzan Amphitheatre on Monday clearly hasn’t lost its capacity to feel – to register the shocks of existence through its music. – South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss in the United Kingdom – ” … hypnotic, weird, warm, chilling, and always quite compelling.” – Telegraph U.K.

Alicia Keys in Anaheim – “The segments when she simply sang and played piano, whether alone or with her band behind her, were the real heart of the concert, both musically and emotionally.” – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Simone in Chicago – “What do you know – Nina Simone’s daughter can sing. And how.” – The Chicago Tribune

Paul Weller in Halifax, Nova Scotia – “The consummate showman, he strutted around the stage showing that performing was truly his only business.” – Evening Courier

Loretta Lynn in Sioux City – “‘Whatever you want to hear, just holler it out …'” – Sioux City Journal

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

Bob Seger is 63

Jimmie Dale Gilmore is 63

John Flansburgh (They Might Be Giants) is 48

Tony Scalzo (Fastball) is 44

Mark Bryan (Hootie & The Blowfish) is 41

Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters) is 37