News …

Metallica’s album drops earlier than expected in Britain. Death Magnetic was due out Friday, but label tells retailers to sell it now after some stores broke the Friday embargo date – BBC News

Shy photographer’s work turns out to be a treasure trove of rock n’ roll photographs – ITN UK

It’s good to be Sugarland – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Technoheads converge on New York City for this weekend’s Minitek festival – The New York Times (registration may be required)

matchbox twenty’s Rob Thomas says he is a slooooooooow dresser – Associated Press

Wayne Newton does the ol’ Q&A – Baltimore Sun

Views …

Deep Purple in Israel – ” … was terrific at the Caesarea Amphitheater on Monday night, encouraged by a sell-out crowd of 4,000 – ranging from grandparents to the very young – to rock this most venerable of venues in ways its ancient builders could never have conceived.” – The Jerusalem Post

Kenny Chesney in Tulsa – ” … gave fans a true arena show, a visual and aural assault of high-powered sounds, bright down-home images and innumerable lighting effects.” – Tulsa World

John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey in NYC – “The wittiest, most musically savvy husband-and-wife team in pop-jazz, they transformed the club into a silk-covered magic carpet that floated up and away to screwball heaven.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Chris Isaak in Fort Myers, Florida – ” … made every effort to make the crowd feel like they were getting a one-of-a-kind experience.” – Naples Daily News

Ximena in Los Angeles – “Backed by her accomplished four-piece band, Ximena, as she is known, lived up to her buzz as one of Mexico’s most compelling young artists.” – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Journey in Detroit – “If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Steve Perry must be really, really, really flattered by Journey’s new lead singer, Arnel Pineda.” – The Detroit News

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

Mickey Hart is 65

Leo Kottke is 63

Tommy Shaw (Styx) is 55

Diane Warren is 52

Jon Moss (Culture Club) is 51

Moby is 43

Harry Connick Jr. is 41

Jeremy Popoff (Lit) is 37

Brad Fischetti (LFO) is 33

Mr. Black is 31

Jon Buckland (Coldplay) is 31

Ludacris is 31

Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum) is 27