Billy

A trailer for the forthcoming lost Johnny Cash album Out Among The Stars has been released – scroll down to watch. It was revealed earlier this month that the late singer's estate had decided to release the album, which is made up of 12 previously unheard tracks and will be out on March 24, 2014. The songs, which were recorded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1981 and 1111 Sound Studios in 1984, were discovered by his son John Carter Cash at the Sony Music Archives.

Today (December 18), Keith Richards is 70 years old – to celebrate the Stone's landmark birthday, here's a classic interview from the Uncut archive (January 2004, Take 80), originally published to mark the guitarist's 60th birthday. Jon Wilde hooks up with Richards to discuss his favourite Rolling Stones songs, the importance of Max Miller jokes and going without sleep for nine days…

Ol’ Saint Nick, playful pop alchemy, and the retro-reinvention of the Christmas album...

Every album, and a little bit more. Something is happening…

We have about 24 hours to finish the next issue, and not much longer to complete another Uncut Ultimate Music Guide due in January, so no preamble this week: lots to hear and anticipate below. (Thanks, though, for all your feedback on my Best Of 2013 list; much appreciated, as ever).

A newly uncovered Johnny Cash record called Out Among The Stars is due to be released next March, more than 30 years after it was originally recorded. 10 years after the singer’s death, Cash’s estate have decided to release the album, which they say has never been heard before, reports The Associated Press.

Pixies have confirmed that bassist Paz Lenchatin, will replace Kim Shattuck for a series of live dates in America and Europe next year. Last week Shattuck revealed that her time playing with the band had come to an end. She, herself, was a replacement for original Pixies bassist Kim Deal who departed the band prior to the release of the group's 'EP1' earlier this year. Lenchatin has previously played with Billy Corgan's Zwan as well as A Perfect Circle and The Entrance Band.

OK, I’ve managed to remember 143 albums that came out this year and that I liked. As in previous years, I didn’t see much point in hacking my list down to a Top 100, or Top 50, or whatever. While it’d be a stretch to claim every one is an imperishable classic, I do feel broadly confident recommending them all.

Morrissey, My Bloody Valentine, The Beatles and Lou Reed all feature in the new issue of Uncut, dated January 2014, and out now.

A pretty amazing week of new arrivals kicked off with the arrival of the beautiful thing pictured above; the Third Man/Revenant Paramount Records box set (Volume One, I should note). Lots to talk about there, not least the 800 tracks, and once I’ve had a deeper and more extensive listen I’ll try and blog about it properly.