MATTHEWS GETS A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS ON CD BY JONATHAN TAKIFF KNIGHT RIDDER.(PREVIEW)

Here's a rundown of the CDs that are new in stores this week:

Star watch: Dave Matthews steps away from his band mates on ``Some Devil'' (RCA). But the set still boasts a big production sound, as Dave has welcomed support from his longtime playpals Tim Reynolds and Trey Anastasio, plus the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Emmylou Harris and more. B+

Canadian's hottest exports of the hour, Nickelback summons up a fourth studio set of tuneful rockers, ``The Long Road'' (Roadrunner).

Movie notable Billy Bob Thornton tries again to cross over to the music scene with ``The Edge of the World'' (Sanctuary), his cause boosted by the likes of Joe Walsh, Tommy Shaw, Daniel Lanois and Marty Stuart.

New faces: ``Welcome to the Middle'' (Universal) makes for a great introduction to Laguardia, a most sophisticated, substantial-sounding rock group from Philadelphia. At turns lush and quirky (in a British sort of way, actually), their inventive touch never loses you along the path. A-

On their self-titled RCA album, Stellarstarr effectively pours an in-your-face rock cocktail that's quite intoxicating. Mix one part vintage downtown New York club bands …

EMBATTLED ISUZU LOOKS TO GM FOR ASSISTANCE.(Business)

Byline: David E. Sanger New York Times

As if General Motors Corp. does not have enough troubles these days, its closest partner in the Japanese auto industry, Isuzu Motors Ltd., is running a huge operating loss, appears ready to jettison its president and has reportedly turned to GM for financial help.

The troubles at Isuzu have been brewing for months. In recent days, as the giant Tokyo Motor Show started and executives from GM poured into Tokyo, the industry has been abuzz with talk that Isuzu is in desperate need of a bailout.

General Motors owns 37.5 percent of Isuzu, Japan's sixth-largest automaker. In a two-decade relationship that has been …

Diamondbacks edge Padres in 10

Right-hander Ian Kennedy is making a strong case to join the Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation.

Kennedy struck out eight in five scoreless innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a 5-4 win in 10 innings over the San Diego Padres on Monday.

Down 4-0 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Diamondbacks tied the game with two-run homers by John Hester and Drew Macias. Arizona's Jake Wald drove in the winning run on a single in the 10th.

Kennedy lowered his ERA to 2.70. He allowed two hits _ a two-out double by Will Venable in the first inning, and a single by Chris Denorfia in the third inning. Kennedy then picked off Denorfia at first.

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UN Chief Makes Appeal on Lebanon

UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. secretary-general called Wednesday for an end to "foreign interference" that has exacerbated Lebanon's political crisis and said he had received more information that Syria was involved in sending weapons and fighters across the border.

In a report to the Security Council, Ban Ki-Moon also urged rival Lebanese parties to elect a new president, warning that a power vacuum could splinter the government.

Ban made clear he was particularly referring to Syrian interference in neighboring Lebanon. He said he had again received information from countries in the region "that appears to corroborate the allegation that Syria facilitates the flow of weapons …

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New memorial to Kelly.

THE road where the life of a young dental nurse was cut short by a drink-driver was closed for a memorial service.

Kelly Marsh, 20, of Butlers Marston, was killed in the front passenger seat of a car last November in Lighthorne Road, Kineton. The car's driver, 19-year-old driver Helen Atkinson, crashed into a tree while almost twice over the limit.

Parents Jane and Tony Marsh remembered their daughter this week with family, friends, police officers, bereavement support charity RoadPeace and local councillors.

A brass plaque with Kelly's name was put on a tree to replace tributes vandalised earier this month and a small sign with a red flower and …

WILLIAMS FAILS TO QUALIFY.(SPORTS)

Byline: Staff reports

Former University at Albany assistant track coach Shana Williams, who had a lifetime-best long jump of 23 feet in the Olympic Trials, fouled on each of her three attempts Thursday to qualify for the long jump final.

Williams, who worked with the track team and acted as an academic adviser at UAlbany during the 1994-95 school year, was a close friend of UAlbany track star Kimberly Toone, who was killed in a car accident in March.

If Williams had managed a jump of 21 feet, 11 inches, she would have qualified for the finals. A disappointed Williams said she jumps 22 feet in practice all the time.

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