A mixed bag today, as I contemplate giving up and playing a bunch of old Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings records in preparation for tonight’s Hammersmith gig.

Graham Coxon and Noel Gallagher feature on the Modfather's 11th solo studio LP

Singer's first album for eight years will drop in late January

I’m not sure what happens on Saturday towards the end of the first night of Bob Dylan’s three shows at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. Suddenly, though, he’s blazing through one of the songs he traditionally reserves for encores, “All Along The Watchtower”, with no break between it and the roaring version of “Ballad Of A Thin Man” that normally you’d have expected to be the show’s climax, the band then taking a well-deserved bow and a quick break before coming back for one, two or three more songs, further lapping up of the crowd’s applause prior to a final wave goodnight, perhaps even a nod from Bob in the general direction of a crowd he otherwise doesn’t go too far out of his way to acknowledge.

The deluxe edition of the album will be available on iTunes later this month

The tracks date back to 1986 and precede Jonny Greenwood's arrival

Singer will tie the knot before he hits the road in early 2012

Frontman also talks about his 'suicidal' phase during the album's recording

The Boss and his E Street Band will also play two UK stadium shows next June

As I mentioned briefly last week, I've started a Twitter account to try and make up for the lack of activity here on the blog.