Veteran crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, whose last top 10 hit was 42 years ago has been chosen as the UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Katie Melua's fifth album suffers from the opposite shortcoming to most female singers: rather than over-emote too flamboyantly, on Secret Symphony she seems emotionally constrained, stifling the songs in politesse.

The ROH's latest 'everyday' tale revolves around a lottery, its star and composer tell Jessica Duchen

The popular Italian singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla died of an apparent heart attack yesterday in Switzerland during a European concert tour. He was 68.

I have the great good fortune of being able to walk to work through one of London's most beautiful parks. And at this time of the year, when the stirrings of spring are visible and tangible, it is a commute that can lift one's spirits, even if you're irritated that your iPhone has run out of battery again and you've just been ripped off by your builder/dentist/dry cleaner and your bank has mysteriously put a stop on your credit card and you can't get through to a human being to explain.

Randy Newman always was old before his time, but on the evidence of this memorable evening, the 68-year-old American finally seems to have reached the age he was born to be.

This Canadian songstress had existed with moderate success on the fringes of the Americana scene for nearly a decade. But last year a rather explosive episode in her private life took the, normally emotionally-charged, singer’s approach to another level and thrust her into the arms - both professionally and personally - of Justin Vernon, the front man of Bon Iver.

“I spent the summer on my back...” What an opening line. But it somehow sets the tone: Annie Clark – aka St Vincent – may be the most sexual guitar player I've ever seen, male or female.

Sir Paul McCartney will headline a free public concert to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The former Beatle will be among a concert line-up that will feature artists from across the 60 years of the monarch's reign, playing in front of Buckingham Palace on 4 June.

The star appeal of an ex-Blonde whose roots are still showing

The onstage mingling of orchestra, soloists, and conductor prior to this seasonal performance of Berlioz' L'enfance du Christ was presumably designed to lend a more intimate, informal tone to the start of the evening so that the music could "emerge", as it were, without the usual formalities of bows and applause.

On Tuesday, the Barclaycard Mercury Prize judges reveal the 'Albums of the Year' from which they will choose their winner. Andy Gill presents the acts they should include

Step away from the bodice

Love, slavery and Tom Jones mania