I plan on it. I have tix to see them when they play Raleigh, NC on July 11th and I'm looking very forward to it. I've seen bits of Crossroads on CMT, some YouTube clips, some stuff from Later with Jools Holland and named Raising Sand my favorite record of 2007. None of what I've seen or heard even comes close to your definition of "farce". Force maybe but definitely not farce.

I also wouldn't suggest forking over any cash for it as all of these shows are also out there for FREE.

I've just read the one review but it's not going to stop me from buying the record. According to her website it looks like she may be hitting your neck of the woods in September.

Whiskeytown alum Mike Daly in a metal mood Whiskeytown went through enough members that it's tough to track them as their creative lives evolve. But occasionally we have to try. And sometimes even we are surprised. Original steel guitarist Mike Daly has resurfaced as an author. His new book is titled Time Flies When You're In A Coma: The Wisdom Of The Metal Gods, and will be published in December by the Plume imprint. To read the rest of the article click here.

This is not only one of the first albums I ever purchased but probably my first ever comedy record purchase ever. It's been many moons ago now but I'm pretty certain I picked it up from the budget section of Woolworth's or Rose's way back in the mid to early 70s. Carlin has always been one of my very favorites but as others have noted he seemed to be getting more and more pissed off in recent years. To me, that tended to detract from his routine as it seemed to rob it of it's comedic edge (or perhaps that's exactly what he wanted). Either way, he was definitely one of the greats and will most definitely be very missed.

Watch the movie Super Size Me and you should lose any desire to consume fast food again (if you haven't already).

No, I haven't, have you? At least one review I read wasn't all that favorable but I've talked to some friends that really love the record. She was just in Raleigh last night but I had to pass on seeing her. I really hate that as she's one of my absolute favorites.

Emmylou Harris Is Charmed and Charming BY DAVID MENCONI, Staff Writer Emmylou Harris has the sort of life and career that lesser mortals can only dream about. She moves in rarefied circles, gliding with seeming effortlessness from one incredibly cool project to the next. Recent years have found Harris touring, recording and singing with an array of big wheels including Mark Knopfler, Neil Young, Dolly Parton and Patty Griffin -- dear friends all. Harris was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this past April. Remarkably, all of this just seems to happen more or less on its own. A large part of that is Harris' voice, versatile and dulcet, which is a welcome addition to almost any musical context. But part of it also comes down to Harris herself, a universally beloved figure who seems to be proof that you get back what you put out into the world. Click here to read the remainder of the article. More Emmylou: Harris' spiritual progeny Charlie Rose Interview from last night

Kiss, Ramones Members Guest With Pearl Jam In NYC Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder on stage at Madison Square Garden Jonathan Cohen, N.Y. Pearl Jam gave a nod to its classic rock influences last night (June 25) in New York, drafting Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley and Ramones bassist C.J. Ramone for guest appearances during the second of a two-night stand at Madison Square Garden. Frehley turned up to play lead guitar on Kiss' "Black Diamond," which was mostly sung by drummer Matt Cameron, with guitarist Mike McCready, an admitted Frehley obsessive, handling the first verse. To read the rest of the review click here.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4583430a12.html 'STOLEN' ENERGY DOME: New Wave icons Devo are suing McDonalds over a Happy Meal doll called 'New Wave Nigel' which the band says steals its trademarked 'energy dome' hat. Post-punk pioneers Devo say they are suing McDonald's in the US over a Happy Meal doll that sports the band's signature red flower pot hat. In April the fast food chain released a series of American Idol Happy Meal toys in the US based on a range of music genres, including Disco Dave, Country Clay, Rockin' Riley and Soulful Selma. Devo's complaint relates to New Wave Nigel, a toy kitted out in an orange jumpsuit, pink shades, and Devo's "energy dome" hat. The band also allege that the toy plays a "Devo-esque song". Bass player Gerald Casale said the band were taking legal action against McDonald's for using their copyrighted hat without permission. "We are in the midst of suing them," Casale told AAP. "This New Wave Nigel doll that they've created is just a complete Devo rip-off and the red hat is exactly the red hat that I designed, and it's copyrighted and trademarked. "They didn't ask us anything. Plus, we don't like McDonald's, and we don't like American Idol, so we're doubly offended." Comment was being sought from McDonald's. Devo, who formed in Akron, Ohio, in 1974, are famous for their 1980 hit Whip It, and are credited with helping to usher in the synth pop sound of the 1980s. The name Devo comes from "de-evolution" - the idea that instead of evolving, mankind has actually regressed. Casale said it was ironic the world's largest fast food chain should appropriate the image of a band known for taking aim at the dysfunction and herd mentality of American society. "The very same people that wanted nothing to do with Devo and looked down on Devo and condescended (to) Devo... enough time's gone by that they go, 'Hey, you know those guys are synonymous with what was new about New Wave,"' he said. "'So if we're going to do New Wave Nigel what do people recognise iconically better than Devo and the red hat?"'

Gas Prices, Economy Shake Sales for Summer Tours Festivals, top acts feel the heat as many fans stay home this summer George Michael's first North American Tour in 17 years is struggling with weak ticket sales, while tickets for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' summer dates have been selling out since February. Photo: Getty STEVE KNOPPER Four-dollar-a-gallon gas prices are eating away at the summer-concert business, with top festivals and tours taking unexpected box-office hits over the past few months. Bonnaroo and Coachella fell short of sellouts for the first time in years, tours such as Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, Maroon 5 and George Michael are struggling, and even perennial sure things like Bruce Springsteen and Nine Inch Nails are soft in some cities. "It has an effect when people are filling up their cars for $80," says Alex Hodges, chief operating officer for Nederlander Concerts in Los Angeles. "How many concerts are they going to go to with all the other costs?" To read the rest of the article click here.

Yep, I heard he can be expecting a call from Taylor Swift on doing a country collaboration album. Bret Michaels will be producing.

I detest the term "classic rock" but why would one even attempt to leave out as much of the 80s as possible when trying to compile a list of some of the greatest rock n' roll bands of all time? Afterall, there was much, much more to that era than what was popular on MTV.

I didn't ask for the definition of "farce", I asked how this tour had become one.

The Billboard Q&A: Neil Young Wes Orshoski In the spring of 2006, Neil Young was just a year removed from a near-fatal aneurysm when he became so enraged with the war in Iraq that he quickly wrote, recorded and released the protest album "Living With War." Not two months after its release, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young launched their Freedom of Speech tour, during which unwitting fans expecting the band's sweeter side were greeted instead with its serrated edge. During a three-hour-plus concert, the band played nearly all of "Living With War" and many of the political anthems on which its legend was built, like "Ohio," "Military Madness" and "Find the Cost of Freedom." Despite CSN&Y's anti-establishment roots, the move angered some fans, while inspiring others. To read the interview click here.

How is this tour a "farce"?

From a link at expectingrain.com: 12 Jun 2008: Thanks to Juan B. Heinink for information that the new volume of the Bootleg Series mentioned in the entry for 19 May 2008 is reported to contain previously officially-unreleased material from between 1989 and 2006. Thanks to Nol Grint for news from the Dutch newspaper De Standaard that it will contain five out-takes from Oh Mercy including solo piano versions of Dignity (maybe R-0680, see 2004) and God Knows; Polly Vaughan and Rise Again from the 1992 Chicago sessions with David Bromberg; 32:20 Blues, out-take from World Gone Wrong; Girl From The Red River Shore, Shake Sugaree and Mississippi, out-takes from Time Out of Mind; 'Cross The Green Mountain from Gods And Generals (R-0586, see 2003); plus two demo versions of songs from Modern Times.

On the roadtrip to Athens/Atlanta and back: [No artwork available] Minus Five Pour House, Raleigh, NC 3.30.06 [No artwork available] Patty Hurst Shifter Pour House, Raleigh, NC 3.21.08 During a brief stopover in Raleigh on my way home yesterday a friend popped an advance promo copy of this in the CD player:

During AthFest in Athens, GA over the weekend: ...and this book which is now back in print: Party Out Of Bounds: The B-52's, R.E.M., And The Kids Who Rocked Athens, Georgia

I had "pit" seating for this show, meaning the first several rows in front of the stage were removed for standing room only. This works fine provided the area isn't oversold, which in this case it was. It was also learned after the fact that some Modest Mouse fans Photoshopped lawn seats to read as "Pit" seats so they could gain entrance to that area. It was so packed people couldn't move. Some people such as myself were even denied re-entry once we left the pit area and tried to return. So I paid in excess of 80 fucking dollars for fanclub seating only to be denied the privilege of being able to stand in the area I paid so much for. Great show but definitely an unpleasant experience on the seating front, one I hope I never have to repeat. R.E.M. w/ The National & Modest Mouse Saturday, June 21st Lakewood Amphitheatre Atlanta, GA 1. These Days 2. Living Well Is the Best Revenge 3. So Fast, So Numb 4. What's the Frequency, Kenneth? 5. Time After Time 6. Driver 8 7. Man-Sized Wreath 8. Walk Unafraid 9. Hollow Man 10. Ignoreland 11. Houston 12. Electrolite 13. (Don’t Go Back To) Rockville 14. Auctioneer 15. Harborcoat 16. The One I Love 17. I've Been High 18. Let Me In 19. Bad Day 20. Horse To Water 21. Orange Crush 22. I'm Gonna DJ Encore 23. Supernatural Superserious 24. Losing My Religion 25. Pretty Persuasion 26. Nightswimming 27. Fall On Me (w/ Johnny Marr) 28. Man On The Moon (w/ Johnny Marr)

I saw him a few years ago on a bill with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and ZZ Top. Ted's old stuff sounded pretty good but the new material sucked. Being the egomaniac that he is, he also tried to play past his allotted stage time which began cutting into ZZ Top's set. Thankfully, they gave him the hook.

I haven't seen the post-crash Skynyrd in years but I wouldn't compare them to .38 Special. Perhaps you're thinking of Donnie Van Zant who sings with them. It's Johnny Van Zant that fronts Skynyrd these days.

I agree. I'm pretty sure the Unplugged series began as a way to showcase artists in an acoustic setting to let people know they didn't need a stack of amps to hide behind. The early episodes had a very different, Hootenanny-type feel compared to what the show would become.

Weesefest Patty Hurst Shifter w/ The T's, Set To Sound, Left Outlet & American Aquarium Thursday, July 3rd Pour House Music Hall Raleigh, NC

From Billboard.com Elvin Bishop Jonathan Cohen, N.Y. Elvin Bishop gets a hand from B.B. King, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, James Cotton, George Thorogood, Kim Wilson and Tommy Castro on his new album, "The Blues Roll On." The set is due Sept. 23 via Delta Groove/Eclecto Groove Music. Trucks and Haynes guest on Bishop's vintage '70s hit "Struttin' My Stuff." Elsewhere, Bishop takes on Junior Wells' "Come on in This House," Hound Dog Taylor's "Send You Back to Oklahoma" and "Yonders Wall" from the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Among the original songs on the album, which was recorded in Jacksonville, Fla., Clarksdale, Miss., and a cruise ship, are "Oklahoma," which Bishop handles solo. "The Blues Roll On" is the follow-up to 2005's "Gettin' My Groove Back," which reached No. 9 on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart.