News …

Oasis to do it for free as Gallagher Brothers put new album on MySpace one week before it lands in stores – The Times Online U.K.

Beenie Man cleared of tax evasion in Jamaica – CTV.ca / Associated Press

Not everyone loves Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl” summer hit. Like the officials at an east Texas high school who suspended three cheerleading twirlers for including the song in their routine – KLTV 7

Even though eMusic CEO David Pakman is leaving the company, he’s still preaching the no-strings-attached music subscription model – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Got a singing voice only a mother could love? What’s that? Your mother doesn’t even like your warbling? It’s still not too late for singing lessons – The Epoch Times

Hey, kids! You, too can host a Menudo concert at your school. Here’s how – Center Daily Times / Paid Inc. / press release

Views …

Bloc Party in the U.K. – ” … certainly know how to fuse genres such as rock and electro over drum and bass-type beats.” – Metro U.K.

Jennifer Warnes in Alberta – “No drums, just keyboards, guitar and bass, with occasional touches of accordion, mandolin and lap steel, allowing Warnes plenty of open space in which to work.” – Edmonton Journal / Canada.com

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds in Chicago – ” … is a scary sort of preacher, and he prowled the stage with barely concealed sexual energy, his white shirt completely drenched with sweat.” – Southtown Star

Jackson Browne in Seattle – “…let his songs speak for 2 1/2 hours.” – Seattle Post Intelligencer

Vince Gill in Indiana – “The paired-down show had Gill sitting centerstage, surrounded by electric and acoustic guitars, a keyboard player, an upright bass player and a guy beating on an amplified box.” – Muncie Star Press

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss in Portland, Oregon – ” … ‘Black Country Woman’ sounded far better with a banjo than I had ever imagined it could.” – The Oregonian

Gordon Lightfoot in Evansville, Indiana – ” … played his trademark acoustic guitar and was backed by the tasteful, understated playing of his four-piece band.” – Evansville Courier & Press

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

Roger Williams is 84

Julie Andrews is 73

Jerry Martini (Sly and the Family Stone) is 65

Dave Holland is 62

Youssou N’Dour is 49

Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) is 40