News …

Couple accused of attempting to blackmail Alejandro Sanz cop plea deal – The Washington Post / Associated Press

David Bowie denies giving permission for his songs to be used in stage production based on his movie, “The Man Who Fell To Earth.” – BBC News

No new trial in Michael Jackson taping case – Houston Chronicle / Associated Press

Catching up with Eddie Izzard – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A “bug in the air” forces Westlife to cancel two U.K. arena gigs – Mirror U.K.

Don’t be shy. You know you can’t help but look at the 50 worst album covers of all time, according to Newsday

Views …

Leonard Cohen in Charlottetown, PE – ” … treated his audience to moving performances of ‘Ain’t No Cure For Love,’ ‘Everybody Knows,’ ‘Bird On The Wire,’ ‘Hallelujah,’ ‘Suzanne’ and more than a dozen other classic offerings.” – The Guardian

Sparks in London – “After all, stop to consider the memory-straining logistics of performing every album of a 36-year back catalogue on successive nights, and the mind boggles.” – The Times Online U.K.

Roger Waters in London – “In the first half, he sped back to 1968 with a hypnotic ‘Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun,’ and revisited the oedipal agonies of ‘Mother’ to remind us that he once masterminded a little thing called The Wall.” – Telegraph U.K.

Bruce Cockburn in Rochester, NY – “How is it that a guy who seems as angry as Bruce Cockburn can create such beautiful music?” – Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

The Cure in Chicago – ” … their typically generous three-hour show made a compelling case for their legacy.” – Chicago Sun-Times (registration may be required)

Martha Wainwright in London – “Not far into her biggest show in London yet, Martha Wainwright began a new song, ‘So Many Friends,’ that sums up the pleasant predicament in which the Canadian singersongwriter finds herself. ” – The Evening Standard U.K.

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

Joe Cocker is 64

Cher is 62

Warren Cann (Ultravox) is 56

Jane Wiedlin (Go-Go’s) is 50

Susan Cowsill (The Cowsills) is 49

Nick Heyward is 47

Tom Gorman (Belly) is 42

Busta Rhymes is 36

Naturi Naughton (3LW) is 24