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A couple of podcasts ago, I mentioned that Booker T (from the Booker T. and the MGs NOT the wrestler) was putting out a new album; his first since 1994′s “That’s The Way It Should Be”.  It’s titled ‘Potato Hole’ and man, this one is going to be so interesting.  The album is being backed by none other than Drive-By-Truckers and with guitar contributions from Neil Young.  Booker T will then go on tour in support of the new album.

Know your music: Booker T was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as Booker T and the MGs and in 2007 he earned a Lifetime Achievement Award.  He also produced Bill Withers debut album ‘Just As I Am’ and Willie Nelson’s ‘Stardust’.  Here is their classic Green Onions.  You’ll know it.

This is very rare and amazing. Prince was interviewed by Tavis Smiley (um who?) from his late night show on PBS. I couldn’t put it in this post so I have to just give you the link. Check it out. It’s really interesting.

Prince Interview

Black Label Society has a greatest hits CD/DVD that just came out. It’s called Skullage and has a mix of songs from their last 4 albums, 4 live songs from 2004 and the DVD is a mix of videos and Live performances. You can buy it here Skullage

Here’s a video from one of my favorite songs from the Mafia album in 2005

The Meat Puppets have signed onto Megaforce Records and will be releasing a new album titled “Sewn Together” on May 12th. They will be doing a special album release show at The Mint in LA on the same date.

Slayer is almost done with their 10th studio album that should be coming out in July which is being produced by Rick Rubin. They are trying to get it out in time for the summers Mayhem Festival tour with Marilyn Manson.

Blondie and Pat Benatar are going on tour this summer together beginning on July 22nd in Livermore California. Livermore? WTF. Why are they starting their tour in an armpit of a town? Well Blondie is touring in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their awesome album “Parallel Lines” in 1978. Pat Benatar is also celebrating a 30th anniversary with her debut album “In the Heat of the Night.” The tour looks like its only going to be 7 dates so if you want to see them you might have to do some travelling.

Beautiful new deluxe box set from Depeche Mode came out a couple days ago.  The set has 3 CD’s, a DVD plus two 84 page books with lyrics and exclusive photography.  It also has two exclusive enamel badges, poster and five artcards.  The first CD is the Sounds Of The Universe album. Disc two has studio tracks and remixes not available on the album.  Disc three are demos from a few of their older albums.  The DVD has behind the scenes footage on making the album and varioius video clips.  I can’t wait to get this.  If you are a Depeche Mode fan then you can’t go without this.  Buy it here Depeche Mode Sounds of the Universe Deluxe Box Set

There is going to be a DVD release on the great Bronx emcee Big Pun.  Titled “Big Pun: The Legacy” the DVD will come out sometime during this summer.  The director Vlad Yudin interviewed a lot of Big Puns friends and family along with Snoop Dogg, Method Man and many others.  Big Pun’s most known for being the first Latino rapper to go platinum and unfortunately his life ended too early back in 2000 when he died from a heart attack and respiratory failure.  Here is one of his great songs

Man, I love this idea.  Toronto based k-os is doing something a little risky.  On his upcoming tour beginning on April 30th he’s going to allow fans to pay what they want during and after they see the show.  He’ll be asking fans to make a “karma” donation with not all the proceeds going to him.  Fans can donate to the David Suzuki Foundation (Canadian foundation that researches how to build a clean, competitive economy that doesn’t threaten the natural services that support all life) and get a “fan-mixed” version of his new album that came out last week titled “Yes!”  k-os says “I love risk.  If I wanted no risk, I’d work some other job.  I’m excited to see what will happen.”  I hope he gets paid cause this guy has some great stuff.  Here’s one of my favorite from an older album of his.

Prince is releasing his own purple iPod touch pre-loaded with a 15 song video from his 21 night residency in London 2 years ago.  Strangely enough, it won’t be available via Apple.  You’ll have to purchase the player alongside a book of Prince photographs bound in leather in a velvet-covered case at a whopping price of $2,100.   Only 950 of them will be produced so sell your car and go get it.

Living Legends members The Grouch and Eligh are set to release their upcoming project titled “Say G & E” then will be hittin the road.  Check out their new single All In

The Grouch & Eligh “All In” Music Video

A new DVD is coming out featuring the offstage and in between gig times of Jimi Hendrix. The candid footage was originally shot in 1969 when a camera crew followed him around for a month. These shots of him have never been seen before and will, at least for me, bring me a little closer to the iconic man. You know what I mean? I have been seeing him perform on TV for ever but never really seen him talking or kicking back so this wil be pretty sick to see.

Prong is going on a European Tour titled “Worst of the Worst” in support of Power of the Damn MiXXXer that is coming out on Al Jourgensens 13th Planet Records. The new album is actually a remix of Power of the Damager, their 8th studio album that came out in 2007 and will be released on May 12th. So far the dates for the tour begin May 29th and go through June 26th. No mention of any US dates yet . . . YET.

The Offspring are going in tour beginning on May 15th in ye ol’ Nashville. The tour is called “The Shit Is Fucked Up” and will Alkaline Trio, Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise and Sum 41 as some of their rotating openers. The tour winds down on July 18th in Flo-Rida (oops) I mean Florida but will be everywhere in between so go check out their site for actual dates and locations.

The Lemonheads will release a new covers album titled “Varshons” on June 23rd. The album will feature Evan Dando doing songs by Leonard Cohen, Gram Parsons, Wire and others. Kate Moss and . . . Liv Tyler . . . will sing . .on DUETS? WTF!