Rock Notes: The Boss busks in Boston

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September 2, 2011, 9:10 am

Springsteen has been off the road for nearly two years now, but he keeps popping up at unexpected places with a guitar in hand. Just a few weeks ago he played a bit of "Born To Run" on a borrowed guitar at a New Jersey beach, and now a 27-second video has surfaced of Springsteen strumming a guitar on a bridge in Boston's Public Garden. He was most likely in town to drop off his son at college.

We're sure the kid was thrilled when Bruce borrowed the guitar from a street busker (or whatever happened) and started to play for people on the street. That's just what you want your dad to do after helping you move into the dorm. We'll be very impressed if a commenter can discern what song (if any) Bruce is playing.

Timberlake introduces FreeSol
Last night, just before a surprise performance at the New York City barbecue restaurant Southern Hospitality (where he's part-owner), Justin Timberlake introduced FreeSol, the group responsible for the latest release on Timberlake's Tennman Record label.

"I would describe their sound as a fusion of rock, hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and soul. It's Memphis," Timberlake, a Tennessee native, told Rolling Stone. "When I made super pop music, some urban people said, 'I don't listen to that shit, but if I did I'd like these songs.' Now it's okay to like everything."

FreeSol formed in 2003 after lead MC Chris "Free" Anderson met guitarist Elliot Ives. The pair recruited drummer "Kickman" Teddy, DJ Charlie White and pianist "Premo" D'Anger and began recording in Memphis, their hometown. While playing frat parties, weddings and clubs, the group caught Timberlake's ear. In 2007 FreeSol signed with the former N'Sync member's fledgling label, which is distributed by Interscope Records, and began identifying a creative direction all members could agree upon.

"It took us three years to get from the stage to the studio," Free says.

Their influences range from Three 6 Mafia to the late Isaac Hayes – who often provided some much-needed inspiration. "Every time he saw us, he'd say, 'You guys are some bad motherfuckers,'" Teddy recalls. Timberlake directed the group's clip "Hoodies On, Hats Low."

Money for Nothing
Canadian broadcasters can go back to playing Dire Straits ' 1985 hit, "Money For Nothing," the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) announced yesterday. The song was pulled from national playlists in January after a single listener complained about the use of the word "faggot" on Newfoundland radio station CHOZ-FM. "Money For Nothing" was immediately deemed a breach of the Human Rights Clauses of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) Code of Ethics and Equitable Portrayal Code. The decision caused public outrage in support of the classic song.

George Harrison Documentary
We can't wait for this one. Check out the first trailer from Martin Scorsese's new George Harrison documentary below. If it's anything like No Direction Home , then we're in for a real treat. George Harrison: Living In The Material World is out on DVD and Blu-ray on October.