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Friday, November 16, 2007 - Volume 35 Issue 46

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posted Friday, November 16, 2007 - Volume 35 Issue 46

the Music Lounge by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A & E Writer

James Blunt announces Seattle date; Celine Dion coming to Tacoma Dome; M20 teams with Morissette at Key Arena; CD gift guide next week
by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer Blunt launching North American tour at Moore Theatre Cutie pie James Blunt is coming to Seattle, good news for Gay fans who've sung along to "You're Beautiful" a trillion times and fantasized about the Brit's shirtless torso in that particular music video. Blunt will launch his upcoming North American tour, in support of his sophomore album All the Lost Souls, at Seattle's Moore Theatre on February 4. The road outing is part of VH1's "You Oughta Know" ongoing tour series, with dates in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. Blunt's debut, Back to Bedlam, produced several hit singles including the aforementioned "You're Beautiful", "Goodbye My Lover" and "High" (SGN's Top Ten Singles/Tracks, 2005). The former military guard's new track "1973" is currently on Billboard's weekly singles chart, although his follow-up cut "Same Mistake" is my personal favorite. Tickets, priced between $30 - $45, go on sale November 17 (10am) at all Ticketmaster locations. Dion announces Tacoma Dome show nearly a year in advance Her heart goes on, and so does her tour. Celine Dion, fresh from a multi-year residence at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace, is embarking on a national tour that includes a stop in the Puget Sound. The power-voiced diva will perform Saturday, October 28 at the Tacoma Dome. In 2008, of course. She's announced her tour dates almost a year in advance. Why? Beats me, but my guess is cushion time to pop out another kid. Dion, considered royalty in Gay households around the world, gushed and dished with Oprah this week while promoting her latest album Taking Chances. After listening to an advance copy of the new release, I must say the Grammy winner has taken a literal dip in the talent pool - this material is far from her best work. Even a redo of Heart's "Alone" is lackluster. But, most artists sound better in concert than on CD, so the countdown begins to Celine Dion's live show next year at the Tacoma Dome. Tickets, priced between $49-$125, will go on sale November 17 (10am) at all Ticketmaster locations. M20 invites Morissette on 2008 road trip I've seen a lot of pop and rock stars wear tight pants, but Rob Thomas takes the cake (or the buns, come to think of it). The sexy-as-hell, tight pants-clad Grammy winner rejoins his band Matchbox 20 for a national tour that lands at Key Arena on Saturday, March 8. The group, whose hits include "Push", "Unwell" and "Disease", ended a three-year hiatus with the recording of six fresh tracks on the album Exile on Mainstream. The two-disc effort also features Matchbox 20's smash singles that span from 1996-2003. I met Thomas in-person two years ago and wrapped my arm around his waist for a photo, hours before he performed to a sold out crowd at the Paramount Theatre. He's short, yet super hot. Matchbox 20 will headline the early March gig with Alanis Morissette and Mute Math as opening acts. Tickets, priced at $39.50, $49.50, $59.50 and $72.50, go on sale November 17 (9am) at all Ticketmaster locations. Holiday music gift guide next week Got music lovers on your holiday gift list? Then, definitely pick up a copy of next week's Seattle Gay News for a roster of terrific CDs that I'll recommend for them. From country to electronica, I've picked some of 2007's best recordings and just-released gems that'll put smiles on the faces of those music aficionados on your list. Everyone has a favorite store, though I recommend two Seattle-based CD shops that you can throw your support to - Easy Street Records (Queen Anne, West Seattle) and Silver Platters (Queen Anne, Northgate). Until next week, let the music play.