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Neil Young’s newly recorded protest album “Living With War,” including a song calling for the impeachment of President Bush, will be posted for free Internet streaming next week. Starting April 28, fans can log onto Young’s Web site and listen to the 10-track set, according to Reprise spokesperson Bill Bentley.

The album will first become commercially available as a digital download beginning May 2, “and we plan to get it into retail stores as soon after that as we can get them manufactured,” Bentley said.

He said the label anticipates getting the album into retail outlets between May 5 and May 15. “Neil wants this album out there as soon as possible,” Bentley added.

The Canadian-born Young, 60, who has tackled social and political themes through four decades as a singer/songwriter, wrote and recorded his latest studio offering over a two-week period this month, backed by a 100-member choir, according to his longtime manager, Elliot Roberts.

Source billboard.com.

Confirming news first reported here in February, veteran modern rock act Smashing Pumpkins is writing material for its first new studio album since 2000. In a message on its Web site, the Billy Corgan-led group said it will begin recording this summer but has no release date in mind for the project.

At deadline it is still unclear if Corgan and Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin are working with any other musicians. “As long as Billy has Jimmy, he can make the essential Pumpkins record, I’m sure,” former Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur previously told Billboard.com, adding that while she is not involved in any reunion plans, “my services are always there to play my favorite songs.”

Corgan stunned fans last June when he took out a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times announcing his intentions to “renew and “revive” the Pumpkins, who split acrimoniously in 2000. In 2004, he broke his silence about why the band dissolved, lashing out at guitarist James Iha and bassist D’Arcy Wretzky for walking away from an endeavor he described as “essentially my entire life… a dream I still believe in.”

Corgan’s newspaper ads came out the same day as his Reprise solo debut, “The Future Embrace,” which met with a chilly reception at retail.

Source billboard.com.

As expected, Pink Floyd principal Roger Waters will tour North America this fall and will be performing the band’s classic 1973 album “Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety. Beforehand, Waters will spend the summer touring Europe, beginning June 2 at the Rock in Rio festival in Lisbon.

The North American tour, Waters’ first since 2002, will get underway Sept. 6 in Holmdel, N.J., and hit arenas and outdoor amphitheatres. The band will include longtime sidemen Andy Fairweather Low and Snowy White on guitar, drummer Graham Broad and Waters’ son Harry on Hammond organ.

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason will make a guest appearance at Waters’ July 14 show in Nevers, France, but at deadline is not confirmed to join the band at any additional shows.

Sans Waters, Pink Floyd performed “Dark Side of the Moon” in full for the first time during its 1994 tour in support of “The Division Bell.” With Waters back in the fold, the band performed the “Dark Side” tracks “Breathe” and “Money” as part of its four-song set at Live 8 last summer.

Here are Roger Waters’ North American tour dates:

Sept. 6: Holmdel, N.J. (PNC Bank Arts Center)
Sept. 8: Mansfield, Mass. (Tweeter Center)
Sept. 12-13: New York (Madison Square Garden)
Sept. 15: Wantagh, N.Y. (Jones Beach)
Sept. 16: Camden, N.J. (Tweeter Center)
Sept. 18: Auburn Hills, Mich. (Palace of Auburn Hills)
Sept. 20: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)
Sept. 21: Montreal (Bell Centre)
Sept. 24: Burgettstown, Pa. (Post Gazette Pavilion)
Sept. 27: Cleveland (Gund Arena)
Sept. 29: Chicago (First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre)
Sept. 30: Noblesville, Ind. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
Oct. 3: Phoenix (Cricket Pavilion)
Oct. 5: Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl)
Oct. 8: Las Vegas (Theatre Under the Stars)
Oct. 10: Mountain View, Calif. (Shoreline Amphitheatre)
Oct. 12: Seattle (Key Arena)

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones will team with artists like Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams, the Del McCoury Band, Umphrey’s McGee and Chris Thile of Nickel Creek for their upcoming Acoustic Planet Vol. II tour, which will begin June 23 in San Diego.

Like the first Acoustic Planet tour in 2004, band members will sit in on each others’ sets, allowing for a continuous show. YMSB and Williams are slated for the California tour dates, while Thile and the Duhks will play in Seattle and Portland, Ore., respectively. Natalie MacMaster and the Del McCoury Band are on board for East Coast dates, while Umphrey’s McGee, Adrien Belew and Marc Broussard will join for shows in the Southeast.

Tickets are on sale for many of the dates through the Flecktones’ Web site.

Here are the Acoustic Planet Vol. II tour dates:

June 23: San Diego (Humphrey’s)
June 24: Los Angeles (Wiltern)
June 25: Saratoga, Calif. (Mountain Winery)
June 26: Santa Rosa, Calif. (Wells Fargo Center for the Arts)
June 27: Portland, Ore. (Crystal Ballroom)
June 28: Seattle (Moore Theater)
Aug. 7: Boston (Bank of America Pavilion)
Aug. 8: Hyannis, Mass. (Cape Cod Melody Tent)
Aug. 10: Burlington, Vt. (Shelbourne Farms)
Aug. 11: Danbury, Conn. (Ives Concert Park)
Aug. 12: Philadelphia (Penn’s Landing)
Aug. 13: Vienna, Va. (Wolf Trap)
Aug. 14: Baltimore (Pier Six)
Aug. 16: Atlanta (Chastain Park)
Aug. 18: Cary, N.C. (Regency Park)

Source billboard.com.

Backstage at the Jammy Awards last night in New York, the Dead’s drummer Mickey Hart told Billboard.com the group is considering touring sometime this year. “We’re talking about it,” he said. “Maybe at the end of the year. Nothing is confirmed though.”

As far as the summer goes, look for Phil to be on tour with another Phil & Friends outing, with Mickey possibly on board as one of the friends.

read the full article at jadedinsider.com

An eclectic mix of artists were on display last night (April 20) during the sixth annual Jammy Awards at New York’s the Theatre at Madison Square Garden. A number of intriguing combinations hit the stage, including rediscovered soul vocalist Bettye LaVette with Blues Traveler, Peter Frampton with Guster and Joe Satriani with former Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins.

moe. won live performance of the year for its Feb. 10, 2005, tsunami benefit at New York’s Roseland Ballroom. Studio album of the year went to Mike Gordon and Leo Kottke’s “Sixty Six Steps,” while Phish took home archival album of the year for “Live at Madison Square Garden New Year’s Eve 1995.”

The evening was hosted by Grateful Dead drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, who also hit the stage with Gordon, Baaba Maal and Angelique Kidjo for a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” and the sing-a-long “Iko Iko.”

Jammy Awards winners:

Studio album of the year: “Sixty Six Steps,” Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon
Song of the year: “Taught To be Proud,” Tea Leaf Green
Vonage Live album of the year: “Live at Myrtle Beach,” Widespread Panic
Live performance of the year: moe., Feb. 10, 2005, Roseland Ballroom, New York
Tour of the year: Big Summer Classic Tour, Summer 2005
Archival album of the year: “Live at Madison Square Garden New Year’s Eve 1995,” Phish
DVD of the year: “No Direction Home,” Bob Dylan
New Groove of the year: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Lifetime achievement award: Frank Zappa
World music award: Baaba Maal
Green Apple industry award: Larry Bloch

Source: billboard

Bonnaroo annnounced today their 5th round of artist additions.

The Codetalkers feat. Col. Bruce Hampton
World Party
Brothers Past
David Ford
Be Your Own Pet

: PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND ::

We are deeply honored to welcome to this year’s festival, direct from the heart of New Orleans, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. For three days and nights (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) this legendary American institution will recreate our beloved New Orleans with their glorious sounds and styles. Holding court in the Preservation Hall Tent the PHJB will present an array of uniquely New Orleans acts such as Bones, Clint Maedgen, Noise Parade, the New Orleans Bingo! Show, and Liquidrone.

Celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Preservation Hall these musicians (many second generation descendents of the original members) carry on the traditions of the birthplace of Jazz.

:: BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS ::

Beware!

The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus will be presenting their unique hybrid of vaudeville, classic circus, burlesque and sideshow at this years Bonnaroo. All day Sunday they will transform the Preservation Hall Tent into the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus experience led by Sword Swallower Mr. Pennygaff and Whipcracking Ringmistress Philomena Bindlestiff.

The BFC will also be joining the Dresden Dolls for the late night Saturday Cabaret as well as performing atmospherically all day long – not to be missed!

For more info see: bonnaroo.com

Trey Anastasio will headline the closing night of the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival on June 25 at Rio Grande Park in downtown Aspen. Maceo Parker will open the show at 6:30PM with Trey slated for 9PM. Tickets are available now through Ticketfusion.com or charge by phone at 1.866.JAS.TIXX.

Gov’t Mule has finished recording its seventh studio album at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio near Austin, Texas. According to frontman Warren Haynes, the set is tentatively titled “High and Mighty” and slated for an Aug. 22 release on ATO Records.

It’s shaping up to be, I think, the best thing we’ve ever done,” says Haynes, who co-founded the group in 1994 with the late bassist Allen Woody as a side project to their regular gig with the Allman Brothers Band. “We’ve recorded 18 songs. We’re gonna have to narrow it down to 11 or something. There’s just a lot of diversity. It covers a lot of ground, a lot of our influences. We’re going in some new directions, but it still sounds like Mule.”

Haynes says fans will hear reggae overtones in some of the new songs, along with “a little more alt.country” and “a lot of just real groove-oriented stuff, a lot of rockers.” Produced by Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar, it’s Gov’t Mule’s first studio release since 2005’s “Deja Voodoo” and the second to feature the current lineup of Haynes, founding drummer Matt Abts, bassist Andy Hess and keyboardist Danny Louis.

Source [url=http://billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002382567

Bob Dylan will on May 3 unveil his XM Satellite Radio show “Theme Time Radio Hour With Your Host Bob Dylan.” The first installment will based around the theme of “weather” and will also find Dylan sharing stories and answering questions submitted by fans via email.

According to XM, future shows will be devoted to such themes as “dance,” “police,” “cars” and “whiskey,” and also feature guests such as Elvis Costello, actor Charlie Sheen and comedians Penn Jillette, Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel.

Dylan is in the midst of a spring/summer North American tour, many dates on which will feature Merle Haggard. The trek next visits St. Louis tomorrow (April 20).

Source billboard.com.

In one of the first satellite-to-terrestrial radio syndication deals, XM Satellite Radio has an agreement in place to license its Opie & Anthony Show to CBS Radio in seven markets.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the duo, whose terrestrial radio career went up in flames in 2002, will bring David Lee Roth

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, tonight (4/20) on NBC will see David Gilmour’s U.S. television debut. He’ll be performing “On An Island” with special guests David Crosby and Graham Nash plus one Pink Floyd classic with touring band mates Richard Wright of Pink Floyd and Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera. Check your local listings for times.

If the small screen isn’t enough, Americans can head over to their local Regal Cinemas and watch the London concert in its entirety from May 15-30th.

The Fifth Annual Marty Stuart Late Night Jam will be held at the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Wednesday, June 7 at 11:00PM. Doors open at 10PM. Tickets are $39.50 & $29.50. Tickets are on sale now at the Ryman Auditorium box office.

This year’s performers include Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, Connie Smith, Travis Tritt, Kathy Mattea, Jim Brock, Don Chambers and GOAT, John Stone, The Legendary Shack Shakers, and the Fairfield Four.

Past performers include Montgomery Gentry, Kentucky Headhunters, Wynonna, Keith Urban, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Earl Scruggs.

The concert will benefit MusiCares. MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. In the past four years combined, the Marty Stuart Late Night Jam has raised a total of $50,000 for MusiCares.

“The LATE NIGHT JAM is five years old. I consider that a milestone,” says Stuart. “My concept from the beginning was to offer a diverse show to kick off Nashville’s Music Festival. It’s kind of become the pirate ship, sidewinder event of which I dreamed. The Ryman is the perfect setting for diversity and MusicCares is certainly the perfect cause for which to play and sing. The list of talent from previous years is stellar and this year is no different.”

As posted on the official Blue Merle website, the band is apparently calling it quits following the upcoming Rites of Spring Festival performance. Citing no particular catalyst, the band simply announced the curtain call and thanked fans for their continued support.

“Just a few weeks away from our hometown show at Vanderbilt’s Rites of Spring Festival. We need to let you all know that this will be the last Blue Merle Show. We remain close as friends and will still be collaborating together on some levels, but we feel the time is right for us to pursue individual paths in music and life. This has been a tough decision for us after such an amazing run together. We deeply thank all those who have helped us out along the way, whether it meant letting us sleep on your floor in the beginning, or stopping by our site to show us support, or coming out to a show.”

See bluemerle.com for more info

Like many corporate ad campaigns, whether a forced viral push or true “leak,” somehow the much anticipated Jack White-penned Coca-Cola advert has landed on YouTube. The White Stripes man has written and sings the advertisement’s songs which boasts an uplifting, brass-led tune and the chorus: “It’s the right thing to do, and you know it, It’s inside of you, so just show it, love is the truth.”

The clip itself kicks off with shots of a girl in an electric red wig and matching dress, skipping out of a red house, with a bottle of Coke in her hand.

The ad is currently showing on Youtube.com.

Punk icon Iggy Pop has been holed up in “a little cottage in the boonies on a little river” in Florida writing music with his old band the Stooges. The as-yet-untitled set, the legendary rock act’s first since 1973, is due out next year via Virgin and will be produced by Steve Albini. It will also feature several tracks produced by Jack White (White Stripes, Raconteurs).

The Stooges will also embark on their first full-blown reunion tour, having previously focused on the festival circuit and one-offs since reassembling in 2003. At deadline, the lone date confirmed is an appearance in December at the U.K.’s Nightmare Before Christmas festival, which will be curated by Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore.

Source billboard.com.

After regrouping for a tour last year, Mark Olson and Gary Louris have once again reunited for brief Western U.S. swing this spring. The former principals of the now-defunct Jayhawks have 10 dates slated, beginning April 28 in Tuscon, Ariz.

“There’s obviously an audience for it and we like to do it. Sure, it’s a bit of a money-maker, it’s a job, but it’s going to be fun,” Louris tells Billboard.com. “One of the really appealing parts is to hang out with Mark and be friends again.”

While there are no official plans for the two to record again, Louris does not rule out the possibility. “I wouldn’t want it to be the record that I have to market for the next two years, but I would enjoy making a record with Mark,” the 51-year-old songwriter says. “We’d just have to find the time. But we wouldn’t do a record that requires two months in the studio. Mark likes to write and make stuff in a grassroots situation. We don’t get too fancy.”

Louris notes that the tour is not a Jayhawks reunion. Olson left the seminal alt-country band in 1995 to pursue other interests while Louris remained, eventually disbanding the group in 2003.

Louris will be supporting the new Golden Smog album, “Another Fine Day,” due July 18 via Lost Highway. The project features the talents of other artists like Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Big Star’s Jody Stephens and is the first under the Golden Smog name in eight years.

Louris, who splits his time between homes in Spain and Minneapolis, is busy performing with two other side projects, the Yams and Thank You And Goodnight. He hopes to release another record, either solo or with a band, later this year.

Here are Mark Olson and Gary Louris’ tour dates:

April 28: Tuscon, Ariz. (Rialto Theater)
April 29: Flagstaff, Ariz. (Orpheum Theater)
May 1-2: Los Angeles (Troubadour)
May 3: Solana Beach, Calif. (Belly Up)
May 6: Santa Cruz, Calif. (Rio Theater)
May 7-8: San Francisco (Great American Music Hall)
May 11: Portland, Ore. (Aladdin)
May 12: Seattle (Showbox)

Source billboard.com.

Many tributaries flow into the vast ocean of sound that is The CodeTalkers, who encompass the shake of New Orleans soul, the hard electric edge of real blues, fleet fingered acoustic picking, and huge scale epic rock. Founded in 1999 after a Halloween encounter between singer-multi-instrumentalist Bobby Lee Rodgers and southern alternative music legend Col. Bruce Hampton, the group makes glorious pop music infused with the spirit & technical grace of jazz.

This muscular, engaging sound is in full bloom on their new album, Now, being released on June 13, 2006. Now’s 12 tracks, all original songs written by Rodgers, run a wild gamut, from the chugging blues of “Saved By The Same Thing” to the Zappa-like “Victor The Snakeman”. There is incredible balance and nuance to Now that draws deeply from the past but also speaks to a bright future. Loud & soft, direct & elusive, the record flows in an organic, unforced manner that’s positively engaging. It’s no longer a secret – the music of Bobby Lee Rodgers will be heard.

The band’s live shows are a darn good time – vibrant and uplifting and at times downright frivolous – in all the good ways. The CodeTalkers’ unstoppable rhythm section features bassist Ted Pecchio and drummer Tyler Greenwell. And The Colonel is quick to point out that he considers this Bobby Lee’s band, even if he is there many nights jumping around & making inspired noise. “It’s time for the world to hear Bobby,” says Hampton. “Me, I may or may not be there on any given night. That’s the way I want it.”

The current list of The CodeTalkers tour dates is as follows:

May 05 Stella Blue Asheville NC
May 06 Cats Cradle Carrboro NC
May 07 Cary Street Cafe Richmond VA
May 09 Daniel Street Milford CT
May 11 The Main Pub Manchester CT
May 12 CODA New York NY
May 13 Spring Jam – Sunshine Daydream Farm Terra Alta WV
May 15 Thunderbird Pittsburgh PA
May 17 Wilbert’s Cleveland OH
May 18 The Mad Frog Cincinnati OH
May 19 Peaches Grill Yellow Springs OH
May 20 Martyr’s Chicago IL
June 09 The Pour House Charleston SC
June 18 Bonnaroo Manchester TN
June 22 Georgia Theatre Athans GA
June 23 Smith’s Old Bar Atlanta GA

More dates to be announced.

Also, look for Bobby Lee on tour with Jimmy Herring (Allman Brothers/The Dead/Aquarium Rescue Unit) and Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit/Hellborg, Lane and Sipe) in late May/June in a project currently being dubbed Herring, Sipe and Rodgers. Collaborating for the first time ever on stage, the trio will perform older Rodgers material that isn’t currently in The CodeTalkers’ repertoire.

Current Herring, Sipe and Rodgers tour dates are as follows:

May 26 The Pour House Charleston SC
May 27 Freebird Live Jacksonville Beach FL
May 28 The Bank St.Petersburgh FL
May 31 Georgia Theater Atlanta GA
June 01 Exit In Nashville TN
June 02 Workplay Theatre Birmingham AL
June 03 Smilefest 2006 Lake Toxaway NC
August 05 Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash Terra Alta WV

More dates to be announced.

For more information visit thecodetalkers.com.