Well, I'm just gobsmacked

On November 26, to commemorate the life of legendary Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun (and, not incidentally, mark my own 40th birthday), Led Zeppelin is re-forming for their first gig in 19 years. The three living original members will perform, with the beat kept by John Bonham's son, Jason. Now, I gather, pigs can fly! Play on, lads.

Grazie, Maestro

RIP, Luciano Pavarotti. There will never be another instrument like yours. I was blessed to hear you live in operas and recitals in your prime, and those sounds will stay with me forever.

To My Favorite Music Man

Happy Birthday, Freddie, darling. Hope you're having a big party up there!

A little snarl in my love, please

OK, this is surely a sign of incurable cynicism. Every time I hear Harry Belafonte's beautiful recording of "I Know Where I'm Going," I wish he would sing the snide Irish line "I know who I love, but the divil knows who I'll marry," rather than doing the song as an earnest paean to his lady.

I have a similar reaction to "Tiergarten," on Rufus Wainwright's new album. This is not a composer from whom I'd expect a love song without irony. Further evidence of how hopelessly, sappily in love he was with the man who walked him through the Tiergarten ("zoo", in German): he doesn't mention a single animal. How do you walk clear across a zoo "to the other side of town" and not notice any animals?

Of course, if I were walking with either Harry or Rufus, I wouldn't notice anything else...

A Blues-Ridden Reign

Granted, there are moments when I wish lead singer Caleb Followill sounded a bit less like a tortured banshee, but overall I'm all over the Kings of Leon. This band has the most intricate, most fascinating rhythm section out there. Rock on, Tennessee!

Final Cadence

I'd hoped my next entry would not be an obit. Still, I must mark the passing of brilliant jazz drummer Max Roach. My strongest memory of him is how much he enjoyed playing with rhythm tap dancers at the old Village Gate in New York. RIP, Max.

Goodbye, old friend

RIP, dearest Tommy Makem. Your velvet voice was an endless source of wonder and comfort to me when I was growing up. I'll miss you always.