Sound Bites: Tom Waits, Posh Spice, Megadeth

January 22 -- Tom Waits Gets Wicked

Tom Waits has produced Wicked Grin, a new LP from veteran bluesman John Hammond, due March 13, according to the Los Angeles Times. The album, with guest blues harp player Charlie Musselwhite and keyboardist Augie Meyers from the Texas Tornadoes, reportedly includes two new Waits songs, in addition to several older ones. The two artists have worked together before — Waits contributed a song to Hammond's 1992 LP, Got Love If You Want It, and Hammond joined Waits onstage at New York's Beacon Theater in 1999.

Posh Spice in Court With Garbage Man

Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham testified Monday at a London court, accusing garbage collector Mark Oliver of stealing four Louis Vuitton bags and their contents. Oliver denies the charges, saying he rescued the bags from the garbage. Beckham's luggage was stolen from Heathrow Airport in April. Sometime afterward, Oliver sent several items to Beckham. When she called to thank him, she grew suspicious, and investigators searched his home, allegedly finding more of Beckham's belongings.

Megadeth Completes New LP

Metal act Megadeth has completed work on a new album — The World Needs a Hero — and plans to release it May 15. The rock outfit produced the 11-song album itself and will back it up with an extensive world tour. Last fall, the quartet released Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years, a collection that spanned its output with Capitol Records. The new LP will be the band's first with Sanctuary Records.