News …

Forty-five years after Beatlemania, Brit bands still try to conquer the colonies – Boston Herald

It’s a new harmony for music and television as labels look to the boob tube to boost sales, introduce new artists – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

What’s the latest music controversy in Canada? As you can probably guess, it has something to do with hockey – The National Post

Virgin Media and labels launch effort to reach out to P2P users sharing unauthorized songs – PC Advisor U.K.

Check out this video tour of Bob Dylan’s art exhibit courtesy of The Times Online U.K.

Catching up with Jimmy Cliff – The Guardian U.K.

Views …

Robert Plant / Alison Krauss in Boston – “Like couples with nothing in common who fall madly in love, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss make beautiful music together.” – The Boston Globe

Eric Clapton in New England – “… still masterful in bluesy Mansfield show” – The Sun Chronicle

Martha Wainwright in Montreal – ” … exuded a confidence that we have not seen before – a sense of place, purpose and restraint.” – The Montreal Gazette

R.E.M. in St. Paul – ” … gave the 6,000-some crowd at the Xcel Energy Center its most intense concert in the Twin Cities, with an overlay of politics.” – Minneapolis Star Tribune

Nicholas Payton in NYC – “He sounded energized and challenged, and the band swirled hard around him.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Bob Newhart in Toronto – ” … from the second he walked onto the stage, it felt as if the audience was getting re-acquainted with an old friend.” – Toronto Sun

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

Levi Stubbs (The Four Tops) is 72

Gary U.S. Bonds is 69

Joe Stampley is 65

Dwight Twilley is 57

Sandra Bernhard is 53

Jimmy Jam is 49

Colin Quinn is 49

Steve Vai is 48

Tom Araya (Slayer) is 47

Damion Hall (Guy) is 40

Bardi Martin (Candlebox) is 39

James “Munky” Shaffer (Korn) is 38

Lisa Brokop is 35

Uncle Kracker is 34