Elmore #56 is here! We take a look at the development of Philadelphia’s music scene and contemplate the art of improvisation in music. Plus, reviews of new albums by David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, and more!

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Lou Reed’s mysterious year-long absence from the music world has been explained: the singer has been recovering from a recent liver transplant for the last few months. Reed’s wife Laurie Anderson told reporters that Reed was near death before the procedure, but he is now recovering well. No word has been given on when Reed is expected to return to the stage, if he returns at all; he was scheduled to perform at Coachella earlier this year, but pulled out because of “unavoidable complications.”

The new album from Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings has been postponed after Jones announced that she was going to have surgery to remove a stage-one tumor. The group’s next album, Give The People What They Want, was scheduled to come out on August 6th, but Jones made the decision to postpone the album’s release and her accompanying tour in order to recover from the surgery. In a statement, Jones expressed optimism that her surgery would be successful, and she promised to head back out on the road as soon as possible. A new release date for Give The People What They Want has not been decided on.
 
Music festivals do big business, but not every festival is a rousing success. The Kanrocksas Festival in Kansas was ultimately forced to cancel this year’s fest following low ticket sales. The festival started in 2011 with a lineup that included The Black Keys, Muse, Arctic Monkeys, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, and Primus. This year’s festival would have featured fun., The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Avett Brothers, and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, but fans seemed to lose interest in the event after it took a year off in 2012. People who did purchase tickets will receive refunds electronically, and the fest is not expected to return in 2014.

Some photos of the Rolling Stones will see the light of day for the first time in fifty years at a gallery in London. Photographer Eric Swayne, who took the vintage photos while hanging out with the Stones and other Sixties luminaries, kept the photos a secret until his death in 2007. His son Tom soon discovered the photos and was shocked to learn that his father-who made a living later in life as a fashion photographer-hung around with the Stones and Catherine Deneuve in the beginning of his photography career. The exhibition, entitled The Stones and Their Scene, runs through July.

Bob Dylan is set to receive yet another award for his incalculable contributions to music and culture. The French government has nominated Dylan to receive the Legion of Honour, the highest honor that the country offers. Grand Chancellor Jean-Louis Georgelin, who heads the council that selects the award, said that Dylan a “tremendous singer and a great poet.” Dylan had previously been nominated for the award, but was not selected for reasons believed to be connected with his opposition to the Vietnam War.

Mail: Elmore readers weigh in on Levon Helm

Opening Act: Snippets, fun, interviews, reviews, the real skinny on upcoming festivals

Kickin’ in Your Stall: Even seasoned performers remain susceptible to thrills, including having true legends record their songs. Dr. John sings Carl Gustafson

Influences: Philly natives Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren still share remarkable similarities

On The Record: The performer who put the edge on the cutting edge, David Bowie’s up to his old tricks. Elsewhere, Emmylou and Rodney gaze at an Old Yellow Moon, Richard Thompson with another Electric album and Southern Hospitality opts for Easy Livin’.

Re.Issues: Hard to get enough of Wanda Jackson, but this compilation may fend off those rockabilly jitters. Wanda’s old beau Elvis puts on a good show himself, from Hawaii. Albert King’s Bad Sign may have ended as his album gets new life

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning: Otis Redding’s monumental talent needs no mythology, but it comes with the territory

What’d I Say: Jim Hynes applauds artists who record with guests

The Good Seats: Venues where every seat is a good seat. This issue, the Sellersville Theater, 40 miles from Philly

Also Appearing: Trippy Dr. John and suave Allen Toussaint cook up N’awlins in NYC. Michael Des Barres tripped out and John Gorka played Key West to a trippy audience

Collecting: His record collection drowned in Superstorm Sandy, so Arnie Goodman begins a new column based on what he does best: dispensing his opinions. In this issue, his 100 best blues/rock guitar players. Agree or disagree, but don’t blame us—email arnie@elmoremagazine.com

Get to Know: 20 Songs Across the Nation

This Month’s Trivia