News …

Judge denies prejudice against Phil Spector – Associated Press

The Raconteurs’ different approach to the biz – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Not every band has its own wizard. But then, not every band is The Matches – San Francisco Chronicle

Tough times for college town record stores – Chicago Sun-Times / Associated Press (registration may be required)

Drummer Kevin Miller on rebuilding Tantric – The Flint Journal

A few minutes with Morcheeba – The Boston Globe

Views …

The Raveonettes in Boston – “At the Paradise, the dual guitarists/vocalists treated an almost-full house to a musical study in contrasting light and dark.” – Boston Herald

A.J. McLean in Los Angeles – “McLean generated boy-band-worthy shrieks from female fans but created a rock ‘n’ roll mood …” – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Cirque du Soleil – “Delirium” in Liverpool – “Attaching multimedia to Cirque du Soleil dance and acrobatics produced with the unerring eye for jaw-droppingly lovely and weird that Cirque choreographers have, is a triumph, a marriage made in heaven.” – Liverpool Daily Post

David Gray in Cambridge, U.K. – “A Corn Exchange on Sunday packed to the rafters saw the singer turn in a stunning performance, the final gig of a 17-date tour of the UK.” – Cambridge News Online

Angelique Kidjo in New England – “The charismatic showmanship of the singer from Benin proved irresistible, with the diminutive powerhouse leading her hip, hyperactive band through a 15-song, 100-minute dance bash that drew from the Djin Djin CD.” – The Boston Globe

KISS in Australia – “Wiggling bejewelled bums, lashings of tongue and studded cod-pieces. For Kiss virgins, the Sydney Easter concert was like being shot in the face with a love gun.” – The Daily Telegraph

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

Diana Ross is 64

Steven Tyler is 60

Vicki Lawrence is 59

Teddy Pendergrass is 58

Ronnie McDowell is 58

Monte Yoho (Outlaws) is 56

Dean Dillon is 53

James Iha is 40

Kenny Chesney is 40

Juvenile is 33

J-Kwon is 22