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Today’s Music News: Taylor Goldsmith leads all-star Dylan tribute at Newport Folk Festival

by Staff

July 30, 2015

Video has emerged of Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith leading an all-star group of musicians in a Bob Dylan tribute jam this past Sunday at the Newport Folk Festival on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Dylan famously "going electric" at the festival. Among those joining Goldsmith were Robyn HitchcockHozier, Gillian WelchDavid Rawlings, and members of First Aid Kit and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Though Dylan himself didn't make an appearance, Al Kooper—original "Like a Rolling Stone" keyboardist—did, as did the very same Fender Stratocaster that Dylan played at Newport in '65.

In other local music news at Newport, Tommy Stinson played a solo set—but unfortunately, much of his audience decamped to catch a surprise appearance by James Taylor. (Consequence of Sound)

On Tuesday night in Brooklyn, Craig Finn joined Titus Andronicus for three songs: Billy Joel's "You May Be Fight," Finn's own "Stuck Between Stations," and the Replacements' "Bastards of Young." (City Pages)

John Lennon has been honored with a yellow submarine tapestry at Ellis Island. The tapestry—funded by Bonothe Edge, and music executive Jimmy Iovine—is a gesture of thanks to Yoko Ono for her work and philanthropy on behalf of Amnesty International. Ono says Lennon would have loved it. (Billboard)

Two new U2 films will appear on HBO this fall. One will be a documentary about the creation of the band's Innocence + Experience tour, and the other will be a concert film to be shot in Paris. (Rolling Stone)

Paul McCartney announced details regarding the reissues of two of his '80s albums as part of his ongoing solo-catalog reissue project. Tug of War (1982) and Pipes of Peace (1983) will both be reissued on Oct. 2 in various CD, DVD, and vinyl packages containing new mixes of the original albums as well as various outtakes, bonus tracks, and documentaries. Some editions will also include essay books and Linda McCartney prints. (Rolling Stone)

Morrissey says he was sexually assaulted by a San Francisco airport security worker who, according to a post by Morrissey on the True to You fan site, "stopped me, crouched before me and groped my penis and testicles." When Morrissey complained to a supervisor, he says, he was told the question of an assault was a matter of opinion. "Since the penis and testicles were mine and no one else's," writes Morrissey, "then my opinion must surely have some meaning." (Rolling Stone)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=68&v=JozAmXo2bDE

With the Grateful Dead's massive "Fare Thee Well" shows behind them, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart have both booked appearances with their respective bands at the Lockn' music festival in Virginia in September. The Dead's Phil Lesh will also perform at the festival—with Carlos Santana. (Billboard)

Steel guitar player Buddy Emmons has died at age 78. Regarded as one of the all-time most influential performers on his instrument, Emmons played with such luminaries as Roger MillerRay Charles, and Gram Parsons; he also made the first-ever steel guitar jazz record, in 1963. (Billboard)

U.K. bookies are continuing to place odds on which artist will perform the next James Bond theme song. Recent speculation favored Ellie Goulding, but Radiohead are now the odds-on favorites after an anonymous customer bet $23,000 on them. "Nobody risks £15,000 on a hunch," says a spokesperson for the William Hill bookmakers. (Billboard)

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