TRUE STORIES: Now here’s a real crossover...

TRUE STORIES: Now here’s a real crossover dream. Ruben Blades has just begun work on his first English-language album, with Tommy LiPuma at the production helm. Don’t bother sending Blades any new songs--the guy’s loaded. In addition to “I Can’t Say,” a new Sting song, Blades has co-written several songs with Elvis Costello (who may also play on the record) and four with Lou Reed, who may end up producing some of the tracks himself. Costello’s contributions include “The Miranda Syndrome” and “Shamed Into Love,” while Reed’s contributions include “Letter to the Vatican” and “Hopes on Hold,” which is the tentative title of the album. . . . Our Fun Couple of the Week: Eurythmic Dave Stewart and Bananarama’s Siobhan Fahey, who will tie the knot Aug. 1 in Paris. . . . Meanwhile, our Odd Couple of the Week is Queen’s Brian May and British soap opera princess, Anita Dobson (star of “Eastenders”). They’ve just released a new single in England called “Talking of Love,” which features Dobson’s vocals and May’s guitar and production work.