Classical cellist Matt Haimovitz has been astounding audiences -- and confounding critics -- with his edgy, high tech "Figment" tour and album. In his own words, Matt talks with AMG about embracing non-traditional venues, new technology and his collaboration with new music composer Du Yun.

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Susan Boyle has made U.K. chart history. The former Britain's Got Talent contestant sold over 410,000 copies of her debut album I Dreamed a Dream in its first week of release, making it the fastest-selling album of 2009 as well earning the biggest first-week sales of any album in U.K. chart history. The album is also on track to top the American, Australian, and Canadian charts. [TheDailySwarm.com]

Chris Brown will not sing on Good Morning America after all. Last week, Brown was scheduled to perform on the morning show as a replacement for Adam Lambert in the wake of Lambert's controversial American Music Awards performance, a move that drew ABC heavy criticism. Instead, an interview with Brown will air on the December 11 episode of the news magazine show 20/20; the interview is billed as "his reply to Rhianna," who appeared on 20/20 earlier this month. [NYPost.com]

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Sure, it was only three years ago, but we are still crazy about 2006's debuts (Lily Allen, Arctic Monkeys, Burial), breakouts (Amy Winehouse, Gnarls Barkley), bold makeovers (Christina Aguilera), and early farewells (J Dilla), not to mention the less eventful but nonetheless excellent releases from the established veterans (Ghostface Killah, Jarvis Cocker, Sonic Youth). Over a couple hundred favorite albums and singles of 2006 are listed by our editors. Maybe you'll discover, or be reminded of, a few that you missed. The AllMusic Loves series will continue to roll through this first decade of the 2000s during the next few weeks, as we will revisit 2007 and 2008 prior to looking back at 2009.

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