Music Blogs

Il Volo (Photo: Rodrigo Varela)One of the most charming things about teen operatic trio (aside from the mere fact that there exists a "teen operatic trio") Il Volo is the fact that these three lads are typical young men, despite their love of what some might consider pretty mature music. When they visited Yahoo! Music two years ago--following a showstopping performance on "American Idol"--the guys showed up in hoodies, and were full of laughs and jokes.

They also have an age-appropriate appreciation for the music their fellow "boy bands" are making--even if that music happens to be pop, not classical. Il Volo is putting out a new release, We Are Love (Special Edition), on May 28 which includes five newly recorded songs including this cover of One Direction's "Little Things." Here's an exclusive premiere of Il Volo's take on the tune. If you like the 1D ballad, all we can say is, you're going to swoon over this version!

By Laura Ferreiro

Mariah Carey with daughter Monroe [photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images]Mariah Carey must be one proud mama. Her daughter is kicking off her recording career before most kids can tie their own shoes. Two-year-old Monroe will be following in her mother's footsteps, appearing on Carey's forthcoming album.

[Related: Mariah Carey Enjoys Movie Night, Pajama Party With Twins]

The "American Idol" judge revealed the news when talking to Ryan Seacrest on his radio show Monday morning. "My little girl is going to be appearing on the album, I will say that," she said. "She can't really put a complete sentence together--she was 2 years old when she started--but she did a good job!"

Lauryn Hill at the courthouse on Monday [Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images]

Looks like it ain't workin' for Ms. Lauryn Hill this year. On Monday, the singer was slapped with a three-month prison sentence with a following three months on house arrest for failing to pay taxes on about $1.8 million in earnings.

Hill's lawyer conveyed that the singer had already paid in excess of $970,000 to settle her tax responsibilities, and sought probation in lieu of hard time. She was facing up to three years in prison, so three months is not as bad as it could have been.

By Laura Ferreiro

Depending on how you look at it, Johnny Marr's Brooklyn show on Friday night was either a dream come true for Smiths fans, or a bittersweet reminder of something that will likely never be.

The ex-Smiths guitarist invited his former bandmate Andy Rourke onstage during his solo show to cover their band's classic tune,"How Soon Is Now?" at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, according to Rolling Stone. Before bringing him out, Marr gave a kind tribute to the bassist, who's also a longtime friend. "When I was 15, I formed one of the first bands with my best friends," he told the crowd. "He was at that time one of the best musicians I'd ever heard; we were just kids.

"Then in 1982 I formed a band in Manchester and I asked my best friend to come and play the bass with me, and he was still one of the best musicians I'd ever heard. And tonight, 30 years later, I'm gonna invite one of my best friends in the world--and he's still one of the best musicians I've ever heard."

The duo

Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and Jimmy Page at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors [photo: Riccardo S. Savi]By Jon Wiederhorn

Being a former president just doesn't come with the clout it used to. Bill Clinton may still have some sway when it comes to brokering peace between warring nations, but as a rock 'n' roll powerbroker, he recently fell flat.

Crystal Bowersox with Brian Walker at South By Southwest 2011In sad "American Idol" news, Season 9 runner-up Crystal Bowersox has revealed, via People magazine, that she is splitting from her husband, fellow folk-rock musician Brian Walker.

"After two and a half years, we have decided to end our marriage," the couple told People in a statement Monday. "The friendship and love which brought us together remains strong, and we will continue to support each other in our careers and personal lives. We are hopeful that people will be respectful of our privacy as we face this emotional and challenging time for our family."