Music News: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Three interesting music tidbits floated my way today:

The Good:

from Billboard:

Zevon Saluted With Album, Reissues, Book

February 21, 2007, 2:00 PM ET

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Late singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, who died of cancer in 2003, will be the subject of a double-disc rarities collection, three expanded reissues of vintage albums and a book in the coming weeks.

First up are new editions of the albums "Excitable Boy," "Stand in the Fire" and "Envoy," due March 27 via Rhino. Each album sports four previously unreleased bonus tracks. The 1981 live album "Stand in the Fire" had been out of print for years, while "Envoy," released the following year, has never been made available on CD until now.

On May 1, the new label Ammal Records will release "Preludes -- Rare and Unreleased Recordings," culled from 126 pre-1976 tracks found in a road case after Zevon's death by his son. In addition to demos and alternate versions, the album sports six previously unreleased songs: "Empty Hearted Town," "Going All the Way," "Steady Rain," "Stop Rainin' Lord" "Studebaker" and "The Rosarita Beach Cafe."

The second disc blends 40 minutes of music with segments of an interview between Zevon and KGSR-Austin, Texas' Jody Denberg.

Finally, Zevon's life and times are chronicled in the book "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," which is told through interviews with family members and musicians such as Jackson Browne, Lindsey Buckingham and David Crosby.

The article and track list here.



The Bad:

From RollingStone.com

According to Blabbermouth, Chinese Democracy’s previously half-confirmed release date, March 6th, has been retracted. Guns “associate” Del James has reportedly commented on the album’s status, saying: “The good news is that all of the recording for the album has been completed…There is no official release date, as the band is currently mixing, but after some delays and scheduling difficulties, things appear to be moving along.” Mmm k.

And The Ugly:
From MTV News:

Van Halen Reunion Tour Might Not Happen After All

Source close to band says 40-city jaunt with David Lee Roth has been postponed indefinitely.

By Corey Moss

Not so fast on breaking out those ice skates in hell. (Yes, those were our words we might soon be eating.)

The Van Halen reunion with original singer David Lee Roth — the one Eddie Van Halen described as feeling like "pure magic" after one rehearsal (see "Eddie Van Halen Says Reunion With David Lee Roth For Tour Is 'Pure Magic' ") — might not be happening after all.

A source close to the band, requesting anonymity, told USA Today on Tuesday (February 20) that the 40-city tour — tickets to which were expected to go on sale this weekend — has been postponed indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen's publicist — who announced the tour February 2 — said reports of a cancellation should be considered rumors until an official statement is released.

In mid-February, Roth spoke of the reunion with Rolling Stone, saying that he hopes it lasts beyond the summer trek. "God willin', and the creek don't run dry, just like Grandma Roth used to say," he told the magazine in typical Roth-speak. "Barring any act of God or Ferrari ... yeah. I have hope and faith, and that's more than just the name of a couple of strippers from Albuquerque."

Regardless, on March 12, Van Halen will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (see "R.E.M., Van Halen, Grandmaster Flash Make Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame") in a ceremony that could feature Van Halen performing with both Roth and his replacement, Sammy Hagar (see "Sammy Hagar's Plans: Beach, Cruise, Sharing Stage With David Lee Roth?").

So, I've made up for the paucity of posts earlier in the week. I also completed my post for Top 25 Albums, #20, but will hold off a day or two before posting it.