News & Views

News …

The best records of 2008? We’re sure you’ll disagree – The Times Online U.K.

New Kids On the Block snag “National Act Of Yhe Year” at Boston Music Awards – Boston Herald / The Edge

600 music fans caught up in brawl after Australian music festival ends. And no, despite what you may have heard, that is not how they wrap up music festivals Down Under – The Sydney Morning Herald

Kennedy Center Honors celebrate Barbra Streisand, George Jones, Roger Daltrey, Pete Towshend, Tyla Tharp and Morgan Freeman – The New York Times (registration may be required)
Related: Barbra Streisand and President Bush smooching? Quick!  Someone check the temperature in Hell – Associated Press

Views …

Michael Buble in New York City – “The thing at which Mr. Bublé excels is traditional pop singing with an ear to the present.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

AC/DC in Los Angeles – “His playing sometimes recalled Elmore James and at other times raised the ghost of Muddy Waters; occasionally his rapid arpeggios invoked Pete Townshend of The Who. Young bases everything he does in the blues, though he approaches the form in his own way.” – Los Angeles Times / Pop & Hiss

Michael W. Smith in Grand Forks, North Dakota – ” … brought Christmas spirit to the Alerus” – Grand Forks Herald

Scott Weiland in Atlantic City – “Touring with a four-piece backing band in support of his just-released second solo album, Happy in Galoshes, the outfit Weiland most obviously dons these days is vintage David Bowie.” – Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily Magazine

Loretta Lynn in DC – “That little wave of her left hand as she sang ‘Kentucky Girl’ melted away the decades to show us the woman in her prime, so feminine and yet so forceful.” – The Washington Post

Neil Diamond in Worcester, Massachusetts – “There was a definite sense of being in the presence of greatness. Or maybe former greatness, a beloved-if-toned-down presence that’s still got the way to move me, Cherry.” – Worcester Telegram

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

James Galway is 69
Jerry Butler is 69
Bobby Elliott (The Hollies) is 67
Gregg Allman is 61

‘Toots Hibbert (Toots & the Maytals) is 60
Warren Cuccurullo is 52
Phil Collen (Def Leppard) is 51
Marty Raybon is 49
Marty Friedman is 46
Bushwick Bill (The Geto Boys) is 42
Sinead O’Connor is 42
Ryan Newell (Sister Hazel) is 36
Ingrid Michaelson is 29
Kate Voegele is 22