k.d. lang and Tony Bennett reunite on stage this Saturday at Davies Symphony Hall for the San Francisco Symphony’s 2010 Black & White Ball benefit concert. Bennett tells the Oakland Tribune: "k.d. has a gift ... I can't ask for a more pleasant thing to listen to than to listen to k.d. sing." For her part, lang says: "To be mentored by Tony, it's the kind of thing that is irreplaceable."

Today's the day: Brothers, The Black Keys' highly anticipated new album, finally hits stores. To mark the occasion, The Black Keys pop-up store has launched at New York's Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, where the band will perform tomorrow night, May 19, with proceeds going to support Housing Works' advocate for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. Today also marks the premiere of the official "Tighten Up" video.

Stephin Merritt won an Obie Award for his music and lyrics to the Off-Broadway musical Coraline, at the 55th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards Ceremony, held last night in New York City and hosted by Michael Cerveris and Anika Noni Rose. David Greenspan, who wrote the book and starred in the production, received the Sustained Achievement Award.

Pat Metheny's US Orchestrion tour comes to a close this week with concerts along the Northeast. The Philadelphia Daily News says "the now meditative, now bluesy, now bopping or dramatically soaring music sounds very fine and 'in the pocket.'" Philadelphia Weekly calls it "dizzyingly advanced, but warm and full of heart." The Boston Phoenix says the album "reveals new depths at every turn"; the Boston Globe calls it "a soaring five-movement suite featuring some of the most intricate music he's ever created."

Here Lies Love, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's song-cycle on the life of Imelda Marcos, is featured today on KCRW. The album track "Never So Big" has been named Today's Top Tune. The song features vocals by Sia, one of what KCRW describes as "an amazing array of artists" contributing vocals to the album.

"The Black Keys take the next step in their evolution on Brothers," says the AP of the band's latest Nonesuch release, out now. "Just about every song has something that makes you want to hit the back button and hear again. That's a rare feat." The duo's hometown paper, the Akron Beacon Journal, calls it "the Keys' funkiest, grooviest record yet and a continuation of their desire to continually stretch their own musical boundaries." Interview says they "they skillfully incorporate elements of soul, psychedelia, and even hip-hop into their earthy sound." Rolling Stone and the Times of London each give Brothers four stars.

Tony Allen's latest album, Secret Agent, was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday. Allen discusses the new album and his storied career in music, not least his partnership with Fela Kuti. "Together, they basically invented an entirely new genre, Afrobeat," says host Rebecca Roberts. The show examines his early influences, what inspires him now, and how his music can run from the political to the purely celebratory.

As Perspectives: John Adams continues at The Kennedy Center, Nonesuch announces the June 15 release of the soundtrack to the film I Am Love, featuring Adams's music. A ten-year labor of love from director Luca Guadagnino and actress Tilda Swinton, I Am Love was directed and produced with Adams's music in mind. The Times of London, in a five-star film review, notes its "sublime score." The film opens in the US on June 18.

Laurie Anderson recently spoke with Billboard magazine about her forthcoming Nonesuch release, Homeland. "Co-produced by Lou Reed," says Billboard, "the album is defined by Anderson's provocative politics and technological innovations." She discusses the making of the album, her writing process, the Indaba Music remix contest for the track "Only an Expert," her alter ego Fenway Bergamot, and her upcoming role in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade.

Björk is the recipient of the 2010 Polar Music Prize. "With her deeply personal music and lyrics, her precise arrangements and her unique voice," the award citation reads, "Björk has already made an indelible mark on pop music and modern culture at large, despite her relative youth." Also honored is Ennio Morricone. The prize will be awarded by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a televised gala ceremony in Stockholm on August 30.

The Kennedy Center celebrates John Adams ... Laurie Anderson, John Zorn improvise in Lublin ... The Black Keys play free show in NYC ... Carolina Chocolate Drops play close to home ... Bill Frisell concludes Village Vanguard residency ... Kronos Quartet's in Copenhagen ... Brad Mehldau, Joshua Redman close out duo tour ... Natalie Merchant tours Germany ... Pat Metheny's Orchestrion US tour hits final week ... Randy Newman, in Europe, featured on BBC Scotland ... Allen Toussaint performs at New Orleans Gulf Aid benefit ... Dawn Upshaw makes Edmonton Symphony debut ... and more ...

Punch Brothers had already been planning a full spring and summer tour across the US, in support of their forthcoming album, Antifogmatic, including a supporting slot with Josh Ritter in Boston next week and sets at the Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass, Caramoor, and Newport Folk festivals. Now comes word that the band will open for comedian, actor, author, and Grammy-winning banjo player Steve Martin for several dates in June, July, and August.