July 9, 2003

The wood flooring is in and it looks pretty dang nice if you ask me. All the rooms are stripped and we're just movin' along. I thought that I'd fire up the ole laptop and see what's happening. Thanks to all the readers who had sent nice email and to those giving me a story of their own, I feel your pain.

In any case, I thought that I would try to ease the gap a bit and bring you up to speed on what's in the works. Doing some snooping, I've uncovered the following EMI related news...

It looks like September 2 is going to bring some interesting titles to store shelves. There is a Jessi Colter collection and a Raspberries 'best of' scheduled for that calendar slot as well as a new album, Mini Album from Beth Orton.

In that same time frame, and a disc that we have hinted about in the past, is a Steve Miller title that is TBD. Let's hope the guy send great stuff our way. Also, Dave Koz with the same designation as well as Van Hunt.

Following that week, on September 16 are box sets from Cabaret Voltaire, Conform Box Set, and from The Hollies, 40th Anniversary Box Set. And for Pat Benatar fans, her Best Shots come in a form of a DVD, Best Shots. Al Green fans can expect a disc from The Right Stuff called The Immortal Soul of Al.

In there and somewhat tentative is a Bonnie Raitt CD and DVD (separate issue) called The Greatest Hits of Bonnie Raitt.

On September 23, The Chemical Brothers gets the same treatment.

I'll drop this one for you. There is a scheduled Beach Boys issue called 40 Top 40s arriving to shelves on September 30.

Well, it seems as if I were right about the new Jeff Beck album. The title will be Jeff after all and will now street on August 5, just a few weeks delay from the Jeff Beck site date of July 22.

The long long awaited and first reported here way back in January, Jeff Buckley's Live at Sin-e is scheduled for arrival on September 2. We'll keep a close eye on this Legacy Edition for you Buckley fans, k? Dear God, what am I opening myself up to now?!

Here's a little info on the upcoming Neil Young CD/DVD and DVD, Greendale:

The CD/DVD will feature the expected batch of new music from Neil Young and Crazy Horse with the bonus DVD including Live at Vicar Street from the solo acoustic concert of Greendale. The DVD will include the full length Greendale movie, directed by Neil Young. The CD/DVD is slated for August 19 with those other four and the DVD is loosely announced for September something. Yeah!!

And what about Tommy Mottola's reintroduction of the 70s great Bogart ran label, Casablanca? I love it. In a time of great squeeze, Mottola puts the washer in full spin cycle. I really hope they go retro with the original label design. Good luck, Tommy.

It was good talking with you again. I sure did miss you. But it's back to the house. See you again...Monday?

Love...

July 7, 2003

As many of you already know, we have been in the middle of a renovation that started out as flooring change and escalated into hell. Had I known...

In any case, we have a need to take several days completely off from everything we do in order to finish the work. As of July 14, we should be completely finished. That gives us the time to dedicate to MusicTAP once again.

What I propose to do during the week of July 7-11 is to put TAP to sleep for the week. I may post an occasional bit if it's exciting news but otherwise, we're dark. Yep, push your nose to the window and you'll see no activity. I'm giving all the reviewers and columnists the week off as well.

If you choose to stay away for the week, make sure that you're here bright and early Monday mornin', July 14. We'll have a batch of stuff for you and, I'm sure, lots of music news. For those of you who will pop in no matter what, I may surprise some of you.

Have a great week and we'll see you back here, full time, on Monday, July 14.