Damon Albarn - Dr Dee + Blur

Damon Albarn released his solo record Dr. Dee last week and he's been doing the rounds with interviews and session performances.  Watch a few below:

The first video was recently taped for an episode of The Guardian's How I Wrote...series. Watch Albarn briefly discuss Dr. Dee and perform two album tracks "Oh Spirit Animate Us," and "Apple Carts," with an ensemble

During the May 13th interview with Albarn on the Andrew Marr Show, Albarn revealed Blur are going in the studio in a few weeks to record new material. The band may have one (or more) new Blur songs to play by the time the London Olympics take place in August. He also said Blur's Hyde Park Olympics' Closing Ceremony show will be the final Blur concert of the year. 

Watch the interview and Albarn's performance of "Oh Spirit Animate Us" below:

Video of Albarn's "secret" gig in Amsterdam on May 4th. Watch the performance (set list posted below)

Set-list

Birdsong

The Golden Dawn

Apple Carts

Oh Spirit, Animate Us

The Moon Exalted

Cathedrals

The Marvelous Dream

Damon Albarn's Dr. Dee opera will enjoy a limited run at Eno in London from June 25th through July 7th (8 performances total) and tickets are available here.  

Additionally, tickets for the Blur warm-up shows ahead of the band's Hyde Park performance went on sale today.  Fans are probably also saving up for Blur 21 - the band's massive career-spanning collection which will be released on July 30th.  Pre-order directly from the band's official store, Amazon U.K., or Amazon U.S. (available as an import.)