Billboard Bits: Puffy, Mascis, Joe Henry, and more

Singer/songwriter Joe Henry will release his new album, "Scar," May 15 on Mammoth. The 10-track set, which features guest spots by jazz great Ornette Coleman, enigmatic artist Me'Shell Ndegeocelo, pianist Brad Meldhau, and Latin guitarist Marc Ribot, is the follow-up to 1999's acclaimed "Fuse." The set's first single will be "Stop," a re-recording of "Don't Tell Me," which he co-wrote for his sister-in-law Madonna's "Music" album. "Don't Tell Me" has been a worldwide smash, and is No. 6 on The Billboard Hot 100 this week.

Jefferson Starship members Marty Balin and Paul Kantner, Janis Ian, and Tom Paxton will perform a pair of benefit shows Monday (March 5) at New York's famed Bottom Line nightclub. The shows, part of the First Amendment Center's "Freedom Sings" concert series, will be hosted by actor Dominic Chianese ("The Sopranos"). A portion of the proceeds will benefit New York's Folk Music Museum. The Freedom Sings series began in July 1999 in Nashville, with performances by Steve Earle, Steppenwolf's John Kay, Kim Richey, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Rodney Crowell, and others. The event spawned a live benefit disc released by the center last fall. While several other concerts have been held on U.S. university campuses, the Bottom Line shows are the first to land in New York. The center is hoping to stage future concerts in venues around the country, according to a spokesperson. Prior to the concerts, Balin and Kantner will discuss music and the ongoing battle for free expression at First Amendment Center. Moderated by the center's executive director Ken Paulson, the discussion will be taped for a special episode of "Speaking Freely," the organization's weekly TV series. On March 27, singer/songwriter Jill Sobule will be interviewed for the show.