May 2003

Three albums by roots reggae elder Burning Spear have been digitally remastered and are set for reissue June 3 via Island/UME, as part of the label’s Reggae Classic Albums series. “Man in the Hills” and “Dry & Heavy” will be combined onto a single CD, while the artist’s definitive “Social Living” album will get a separate presentation complete with two extended-mix bonus tracks. Each of the discs will feature liner notes by reggae historian David Katz.
One of reggae’s brightest stars, Burning Spear broke through in 1975 with the widely acclaimed “Marcus Garvey” (Mango). It was followed by “Man in the Hills” (1976), “Dry & Heavy” (1977), and “Social Living” (1978).
Source Billboard.com.

The lineup for the Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, TN during June 16,17,18, continues to expand as a number of new bands have been added to the roster. Ironically last year, Norah Jones was one of the “smaller” acts announced near the date of the festival and has since gone on to a few Grammy Awards. The bands just recently added includes:
Joshua RedmanLiz PhairEkoostik HookahJosh Winkphonosycograph DJ DISKDJ Disk and the Filthy ApeHackensaw BoysMark FarinaBuddahead Josh KellyGavin DegrawIndecisionLouqueRebirth Brass Band
Source Bonnaroo.com.

The MGM urban comedy “Soul Plane” has been cleared for takeoff, with rappers-turned-actors Snoop Dogg and Method Man on board to star for director Jessy Terrero.
Described as an urban version of the classic 1980 comedy “Airplane!,” the film is set to go into production in late June. Snoop Dogg will play a pilot, and Method Man will portray Muggsy, the airline owner’s best friend who is put in charge of the plane’s business class.
“Soul Plane” reunites Snoop Dogg and Terrero, who hails from the music video realm and directed the rapper’s “Tell It Like It Is” video. The two took a recent trip together to Brazil. Terrero also directed the Method Man video “Round and Round,” featured on the soundtrack to the 2001 comedy feature “How High,” starring Method Man and Redman.
Source Billboard.com.

Blur has lined up their first handful of North American tour dates in more than four years. The 11-date outing, in support of the new album Think Tank, will include several radio festivals and the Field Day festival in Long Island, NY. The tour dates are as follows: 5/24, Washington, DC; 5/25, Mansfield, MA; 5/26, Camden, NJ; 6/8, Calverton, NY (Field Day); 6/11, Tempe, AZ; 6/12, Las Vegas; 6/15, San Diego; 6/17, San Francisco; 6/19, Portland, OR; 6/20, Seattle; 6/21, Vancouver.
SourceFMQB.com.

The second leg of the Steely Dan

Rock duo Ween has signed with Sanctuary Records, which will release the group’s new album, “Quebec,” on July 22. Guitarist Dean Ween (real name: Mickey Melchiondo) last month described the 16-track set as “heavy, dark, psychedelic, and musically intricate at times.”
Ween spent the bulk of its career recording for Elektra but parted ways with the label after the 2000 album “White Pepper.” In the interim, the duo has issued two live albums exclusively through its own Chocodog imprint.
Melchiondo says “a full-on world tour” in support of “Quebec” is in the works, including appearances at the Bonnaroo NE festival and the Austin City Limits festival. The group will also play May 24 in Asbury Park, N.J., and May 31 at the Adirondack Mountain Music Festival in Lyonsdale, N.Y. Drummer Claude Coleman is back on board after being sidelined for several months while recovering from a serious automobile accident.
Source Billboard.com.

In the mold of Elton John/Billy Joel, modern day piano warriors Ben Folds and Tori Amos will be touring together for a run of dates in a summer outing titled, “Lottapianos.” Eight dates are confirmed so far for July and August, and additional dates are expected. Headliner Amos–who has been touring relentlessly since the late-2000 release of her new album, Scarlet’s Walk–recently wrapped up two months of North American dates. Her current backing band includes longtime collaborators Jon Evans on bass .
Folds, the former leader of Bens Fold Live is touring in support of his live solo debut

Carlos Santana will donate all proceeds from his entire 2003 North American tour to Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA), which raises funds to fight AIDS. The tour kicks off June 11 in Atlanta and runs through a July 14 show in Los Angeles. Angelique Kidjo will open all dates.
While the non-profit group’s dedication is to “furthering democracy and equality in South Africa and civil rights in the U.S.,” in recent years, ANSA has focused on the AIDS crisis. Its ongoing projects include South African tours to promote prevention, treatment, and destigmatization, shipping medical supplies to clinics and hospitals, and funding local groups on the frontlines of the epidemic.
ANSA members will be on hand to provide information to fans at all dates on the Santana tour.
Source Billboard.com.

Natalie Merchant