Briefly: Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Aaron Neville, Leif Garrett, Vernon Reid
Mary J. Blige 's "The Breakthrough"--which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 album chart three weeks ago, but was bumped to No. 2 for the last two weeks by Jamie Foxx's "Unpredictable"--returns to the top of the chart this week.
"Unpredictable" drops to No. 2, while Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" jumps two slots to No. 3.
Eminem's best-of set "Curtain Call: The Hits" falls one rung to No. 4, while The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Duets: The Final Chapter" rises two slots to No. 5.
Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville , accompanied by pianist Dr. John, will team to perform the national anthem at this year's Super Bowl, set for Feb. 5 at Detroit's Ford Field.
Former teen singing idol Leif Garrett , 44, reportedly was charged with heroin possession Wednesday (1/18) in connection with his Saturday (1/14) arrest at a commuter train station in Los Angeles. He was also charged with fare evasion.
Garrett is currently on probation for a previous drug arrest.
Guitar virtuoso Vernon Reid and his group Masque will issue the self-produced CD "Other True Self" on the Favored Nations label on April 18. Reid, best known for his work in Living Colour, wrote many of the tracks on the album, which also features songs written by other Masque members as well as three cover songs.
- Artist Links:
Festival Guide: Essence Music Festival, New Orleans, LA [June 2008]
Aretha Franklin Headlines Newport Jazz Festival [June 2008]
The Edge Hosts Benefit Auction [April 2008]
Weekend Ticketing: Jimmy Buffett, Kanye West, Kenny Chesney, Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige [February 2008]
Jack Johnson keeps his hold on No. 1 [February 2008]
Jack Johnson holds off Grammy winners on album chart [February 2008]
2008 Pitchfork Music Festival Photos - Day 1
Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor" tour
The Duke Spirit on stage and in the studio
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Stevie Nicks
Metallica at the KROQ Weenie Roast in Irvine, CA
R.E.M. at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA
Herbie Hancock at the Sonoma Jazz Festival
Brad Paisley, Jack Ingram and Kellie Pickler
Dengue Fever at The Independent, San Francisco, CA

