Quick Takes: Sting, Dead & Company, Berry Gordy, Jr. & Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell

Just released is the digital-only, expanded version of Sting's 1987 second solo studio set, . . . Nothing Like The Sun. The new version includes the original album along with 14 bonus tracks — 12 of them previously unavailable digitally. The expanded edition consists of B-sides, remixes, alternate versions, and instrumentals.
- . . . Nothing Like The Sun was originally released on October 5th, 1987 and peaked at Number Nine on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Dead & Company have just added two new dates to their 2023 itinerary. On June 24th the band will play a second show at Boston's Fenway Park, with the trek's final date now a third hometown gig set for July 16th at San Francisco's Oracle Park.
- UPDATED: Dead & Company 2023 tour dates (subject to change):
  May 19, 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
  May 23 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
  May 26 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
  May 28 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
  May 30 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
  June 1 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
  June 3 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
  June 5 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
  June 7 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
  June 9, 10 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
  June 13 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
  June 15 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizen's Bank Park
  June 17, 18 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
  June 21, 22 – Queens, NY – Citi Field
  June 2e- Boston, MA – Fenway Park
  June 25 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
  June 27 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
  July 1, 2, 3 – Boulder, CO – Folsom Field
  July 7, 8 – George, WA – The Gorge
  July 14, 15 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park
  July 16 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park
Motown is alive and well with the label's founder Berry Gordy, Jr. and its inaugural artist Smokey Robinson tapped as joint 2023 the MusiCares Persons of the Year. The pairing marks the first time the organization has chosen two separate performers — although it had been known to give the nod to bands in the past.
- Forbes reported, “The dynamic duo will be feted at a tribute concert February 3rd, 2023 at the Los Angeles Convention Center two nights before the Grammy Awards ceremony.” (Fobers)
During an appearance on Comedy Central's The Daily Show, Brandi Carlile revealed her hero Joni Mitchell will perform at the June 2023 Echoes Through The Canyon shows set to play in George, Washington at the Gorge Amphitheatre.
- Carlile told host Trevor Noah, that the legendary songwriter — who's battled back from a 2015 brain aneurysm — is poised for a comeback: “Joni Mitchell is going to play. No one’s been able to buy a ticket to see Joni Mitchell play in 20 years. So this is enormous, and she’s so excited because it’s close to Canada. . . I can’t believe it’s happening, but it is happening, and she is going to crush it.” (Rolling Stone)