Chicago rocker Liz Phair blazed a trail for female musicians during an especially testosterone-fueled era of rock. The singer/songwriter/guitarist kicked down the dude rock door with girl retort classics, Exile in Guyville and Whip Smart. She's chronicled the underbelly of that period of her career as well as her later transformation into a pop artist in her debut memoir Horror Stories, which is out today. Elton John details how he wore out his welcome when he made a guest appearance during a Rolling Stones show in Colorado. He said the cocaine made him linger onstage beyond the planned "Honkey Tonk Women," and it took him awhile to get the hint, despite Keith Richards' death stare. For a little uplift today, check out a newly-released video from this past summer's Newport Folk Festival, in which an all-star cast faithfully cover "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" by Crosby, Stills and Nash. Stephen Still's muse Judy Collins herself joined Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold, James Mercer of The Shins, Jason Isbell and others for the "Do do do-do-do" chorus at the end. And Scottish band The Blue Nile's trifecta of excellent records in the 80's and 90's, including their opus Hats, are being reissued next month on 180 gram vinyl. But only a thousand copies will be pressed.
