News …

Great White band manager who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for his part in night club fire is released from jail – New York Daily News / Associated Press

Avenged Sevenfold hits the links – Boston Herald / The Edge

For Anne Murray, sometimes “final” means “maybe” – The Sarnia Observer

The return of Split Enz – Marlborough Express / The Press

Saul Williams talks about … everything! – The Santa Barbara Independent

Q&A with Foo Fighter Nate Mendel – Ottawa Citizen

Views …

Pat Metheny in NYC – “Mr. Metheny improvised throughout with passion and erudition, combining mercurial fretboard runs with more limpid, searching phrases.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

The Felice Brothers in Los Angeles – “When the first words out of a performer’s mouth are ‘Our grandpa told us this here story,’ you know you’re in for a good night.” – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

The Pogues in New England – “Wednesday night’s show indicated the vintage lineup still has plenty of power and elan” – Patriot Ledger

Blue Man Group in Alabama – “Of course, besides the music, the most unique thing about this production is the Blue Men themselves. They don’t talk, but their impressions and eyes tell the story.” – The Huntsville Times

Tokyo Police Club in London, Ontario – “TPC has proven to be a powerful headliner in London.” – The Western Gazette

Tift Merritt in Massachusetts – “Throwback country spirit married with a rock chug coalesced as she punched at a keyboard playing with her four-piece band’s roll through the opener, ‘I Know What I’m Looking for Now.'” – The Hartford Courant

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

Jerry Reed is 71

Don Edwards is 69

Ranger Doug (Riders in the Sky) is 62

Carl Palmer (Asia; Emerson, Lake and Palmer) is 58

Jimmie Vaughan is 57

Jimmy Seales (Shenandoah) is 54

Slim Jim Phantom (The Stray Cats) is 47

Chester Bennington of (Linkin Park) is 32