Rock News: Music's high and low notes

FABULOUS POODLE IN NEW ORLEANS

British blues and roots rock legend Tony DeMeur, of the Fabulous Poodles and Ronnie and the Rex, is hitting New Orleans during The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which takes place between April 23 and May 4. DeMeur is in the City That Care Forgot for Jazzfest to do a residence at Melvin's, part of the burgeoning Ninth Ward music strip that includes Sweet Lorraine's and the Hi Ho Lounge. Demeur will play Thursday to Sunday both weekends.

STEVE WYNN'S STATIC TRANSMISSION

Steve Wynn, fresh from show-stopping performances at the South By Southwest Music festival, has a new album, "Static Transmission," ready for July 8 release on his own Down There label in conjunction with DBK Works Records and Runt Distribution. Like its immediate predecessor, the critically acclaimed double album "Here Come The Miracles," "Transmission" was recorded in Tucson at Wavelab Studios with producer/engineer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Giant Sand). Performing on the album are Steve's core band -- dubbed the Miracle 3 -- of Jason Victor (guitars), Dave DeCastro (bass) and Linda Pitmon (drums), along with guest keyboardist Chris Cacavas (Green On Red, Giant Sand).

"I had never been more satisfied or had as much fun at a recording session as I did during 'Here Come The Miracles,'" said Wynn. "So, it made sense that I would want to go back to the same studio in the same city with the same people that I worked with on that record. It's not like I wanted or expected a carbon copy of the last album, but I'm really happy that 'Static Transmission' is a natural extension and follow-up -- kind of the darker, sweeter, freakier, more disturbed and complicated younger brother to 'Here Come The Miracles'' swaggering, arrogant older sibling."

SOUTHERN COMFORT

Blue South Records has announced a May 27 release date for "Southern Comfort," the new album from Georgia-based singer/songwriter EG Kight. For her fourth CD on Blue South, Kight brings a southern soul/blues feel that rings throughout the album's 12 cuts, which include nine originals plus her unique take on such songs as "Angel From Montgomery" and "Cry Like a Rainy Day." Special guests on "Southern Comfort" include Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell on piano, guitarist Lee Roy Parnell, singer Chris Hicks and Grammy-nominated producer Paul Hornsby on organ, piano and backing vocals. Kight's career has continued to blossom with each successive release. Koko Taylor, a major influence and personal favorite of Kight's, sang a duet with her on the last CD, "Trouble." Taylor returned the favor by recording one of Kight's songs, "Fuel to Burn," on the Grammy-nominated "Royal Blue" in 2000. "Let the Healing Begin," a song co-written by Kight, was included on a Blues Music Association/National Association of Record Merchandisers compilation, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard blues chart and has sold over 86,000 copies to date. Joining her on that compilation were Stevie Ray Vaughan, Delbert McClinton, Robert Cray and Keb' Mo'.

PARA QUE LA VIDA

Fans pick the ending to "Para Que La Vida," the third video from Enrique Iglesias' platinum album "Quizas." Directed by Simon Brand, the video to "Para Que La Vida" was filmed at the Production House in Los Angeles last month with two endings: One in which the object of Enrique's affection boards a train and leaves him forever, and another in which she stays. Enrique and his team decided to let his fans have the last word.

"I can't say enough about my fans," Iglesias said. "I feel they have accompanied me through every album. They are loyal and so this time around they get to decide what happens."

HANDY AWARDS

The 24th Annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards are set for May 22, 2003, in Memphis. Shemekia Copeland, daughter of the late blues giant Johnny Copeland, received five nominations, including Contemporary Blues Album and Blues Album for the Dr. John-produced "Talking To Strangers." John Mooney and Marcia Ball each pulled down two nominations. Other nominees include Larry Garner, Chris Thomas King, Mighty Sam McClain, Irma Thomas, Henry Butler, Dr. John, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, and Mighty Joe Young.