Every time I get dive-bombed by a hornet, i.e. I get irritated by a bit of rock news (or sports news for that matter), I feel like sounding off. And I did on Wednesday concerning the news that Hagar was going back to the Van Halen clan. Well, as much as I love Eddie THE GUITARIST, It didn't stop some readers from assuming that I was ranting against his abilities and worth to the band. The random act of violence that I perpetrated on readers Wednesday (and Thursday) yielded a flow of emails matched only by my spam intake. But I was quite surprised to read what you had to say...
More than 90% of the emails coming in from readers were standing on the same platform I was, more or less. Another 9% was more or less in the middle, not disagreeing but not agreeing either. A stunning 1% of the other spectrum disagreed with my rambling and considered me an idiot (which I graciously accepted).
We ALL have the utmost respect for Eddie as a guitar master but can't seem to tolerate his inability to control his ego. Thanks for your emails, folks! To be fair, I think that DLR's ego is far more out of control but again, my ONLY beef was with Eddie's handling of Sammy. It's a human issue not a professional one. And this is all I'll say on the subject.
Whew!! The last time I got worked up was when Axl Rose attempted a re-hash of GnR and couldn't even have the decency to back up his promises. As a result, Chinese Democracy faltered (it should have anyway because the original components of GnR were MIA) and fans were ripped off by a lackadaisical approach by Axl during his failed tour. Years ago, I attended a Johnny Thunders show at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA where he sang 3 great songs, took a break, went to his dressing area and shot up full of H, came back down and talked more than he sang until management pulled the plug and his band left in disgust. After an hour on stage amid jeers and mini scuffles with the audience, he left via the front door...on his own. A year later he was found dead. I mention this to point out that bad behaviour leaves us wanting and in wanting, we become disillusioned.
I have some great shots of Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash which I'll put up on TAP for Monday or Tuesday. One of my brothers (Hi, Micah and Jimmy) attended a Wishbone Ash concert in Chicago a few weeks ago and met up with a photographer who graciously sent me some shots for viewing, which were great. We heard that Andy was recovering from a bad bad cold. Secondly, and of great interest to Wishbone Ash fans, is the news of discovered masters from the No Smoke Without Fire sessions now referred to as Lost Pearls. Martin Turner has cleaned these songs up and included some other gems from other sessions including a live take of "Too Much Monkey Business". We'll keep you posted on release dates for Lost Pearls.
That bastard Duane has his next Pit Stop up so check it out. Make him happy.
Well, we have a review for you by George Bennett. He has given us the benefits of his listening and his evaluative skills for The Flaming Lips' DVD-Audio version of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Stop in and check that out.
Don't forget the reader reviews. If you have a single paragraph about a favourite current album that you have, share it with the world. Write me here and use READER REVIEW in the subject line.
I'm not sure this is going to go over too well considering the fiasco with the Stones alliance with Best Buy and their Licks DVD exclusivity agreement but it appears that there is a similar one popping up for Bob Dylan and his Bootleg Box Set. This Box Set will be released on April 20 and is a BestBuy Only issue. I'll provide more details as I get them.
Prince fans will be pleased to be able to pick up Musicology (NPG Records - distributed by Sony. Smart move, Prince) on April 20. More details to follow.
Wynonna and The Judds are getting big attention from WEA with the re-release of 6 Wynonna titles as well as 2 volumes of The Judds' Greatest Hits from Curb. The expected street date fro all these titles are May 4. Here's a rundown of the expected titles:
- The Judds - Greatest Hits 1 (1988)
- The Judds - Greatest Hits 2 (may be new)
- Wynonna - Collection (1997)
- Wynonna - New Day Dawning (2000)
- Wynonna - The Other Side (1997)
- Wynonna - Revelations (1996)
- Wynonna - Tell Me Why (1993)
- Wynonna - Wynonna (1992)
And for my good friend Noelle, who loves Lee Ann Womack, a 'best of' postponed from Fall of last year, will hit the store shelves on May 4. The album, Lee Ann Womack Greatest Hits, will contain 14 songs that include "I Hope You Dance" (Noelle's favourite) as well as 2 new songs, "The Wrong Girl", and "Time For Me To Go". "The Wrong Girl" is now a single receiving radio airplay.
The upcoming Dave Edmunds 'best of' will be issued on April 27. The title is From Small Things: The Best of Dave Edmunds and will issue from the folks at Legacy.
Universal Special Products will re-issue a "nothing fancy" Elvin Bishop title in Struttin' My Stuff. Struttin' My Stuff is a 1975 issue originally from Capricorn Records and contained "Fooled Around and Fell in Love." A piece of trivia for you folks here in that Mickey Thomas sang for Elvin during this period and is the voice on "Fooled Around and Fell In Love". Of course, Thomas went on to Jefferson Starship and "We Built This City" fame. This one will arrive on April 20.
Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time DVD-Audio is moved back in date just a little. This anticipated and much delayed release will shift from July 13 to July 27.
Sanctuary Records will release Neil Young's Greendale on DVD for May 18.
Who's a fan of the Spike and Mike twisted cartoons? That's what I thought. Shout! Factory is coming out with a collection of the best called Spike and Mike Classics which will street on May 25. Cool!
The Elvis Presley DVDs that are coming from BMG Heritage (and lost in these pages...somewhere) are as follows:
- Elvis' 1968 Comeback Special (Deluxe Edition) - 2DVD
- Aloha From Hawaii (Deluxe Edition) - 3DVD
These anticipated DVDs (you should see my emails...yes, highly anticipated) will be made available to fans on June 22.
March 24, 2004
Maybe it's all about money, I don't know. But if it has anything to do with working with talent for the sake of the band and its overall ability to produce more enduring songs and, yeah, more money then what the hell is the problem with Diamond Dave? By now, you have correctly figured that I'm talking about the recent news that Van Halen will re team with Hagar to revitalize the flagging band. But this has nothing to do with Van Halen (the band). My preferences lie with the Diamond Dave years but that's me. So what is the problem?
This is it. Eddie Van Halen, with his sport-star attitude ego run amok, has ceremoniously and publicly slapped Sammy Hagar in the face by his literal dumping of the singer with nothing more than a phone call saying, "You're out of the band." This is the way that Hagar reported it. Now, Eddie, who is besides himself with the fact that no one likes Van Halen without either Roth or Hagar, asks Hagar to swallow his pride and help Eddie out of his funky slide from grace.
Sammy. Where is your pride? I don't dislike Eddie but I dislike his attitude toward two fine singers who more defined Van Halen than he did himself. His handling of them has been a thing of disgust for me for some time and this news really bothers me. But if it's about regaining momentum, then why not bring back both Dave and Sammy for a split show. Lock Diamond Dave in his room for all but his portion of the show if you have to.
Sammy, my thoughts and my pity is there for you. And for those who may think that I'm a little harsh and perhaps more than biased, I'm not. I'm upset with Eddie's ability to separate himself from himself and his tactless handling of his former singers.
I'm truly sorry for this seemingly random act of violence but I needed to vent a little. I don't care that Eddie lets Van Halen fall into disuse but rather I'm disappointed in Sammy's forgetfulness and loss of pride.
After all that, we actually have virtually nothing to report. Which is part of the reason why I allowed myself to ramble. As always, whether we agree or disagree, here's your opportunity to chastise me or pat me on the back or to just give your own opinion.
Also in this issue of MusicTAP, we have the lost info of the Elvis Presley DVDs in the DVD section as well as the cover shot of the Stones' upcoming singles box.
With that, I bid you adieu. We'll see you again on Friday!! Hopefully you'll have forgotten my rant by then.
Don't forget the reader reviews. If you have a single paragraph about a favourite current album that you have, share it with the world. Write me here and use READER REVIEW in the subject line.
There's a few pieces that we can talk about here.
The first is the 30 year retrospective of the upcoming Come Sail Away: The Styx Anthology that will contain a sweeping 2CDs of Wooden Nickel (RCA), A&M, and Sanctuary music created by several Mark lineups of Styx including their introducing "Lady". This set will contain 35 songs including an unreleased full length version of "Man in the Wilderness." Also, the set will include a nice booklet that will produce lots of phots and lots of words. Every song is digitally remastered from original masters. A&M Records will release this set on May 4.
 
The Small Faces will have a 2CD, 36 track retrospective with tons of cool stuff released on May 4. The set will be called Hits, Misses, Thrashers and Crashers. This collection will be released by Fuel2000 and will contain such rarities as Stereo versions of previously Mono issues, alternate takes, different versions, and, of course, songs that you have come to love from this important band. Mark the calendars.
Got Stones cover if you want it!
This Rolling Stones Singles 1963-1965 Box will be released by Abkco Records and will contain early singles and rarities. This chronological set will feature 12 individual CDs that will start with the band's very first studio single as well as their subsequent singles issues, b-sides, and EPs that were released up to mid 1965.
The discs will replicate the the band's singles and EPs as well as rarities like the US withdrawn "Stoned" due to its 'immoral' content. There are 33 tracks here and is remarkable in the fact that this will be the first CD issues of EPs that were previously only released on vinyl. This will include The Rolling Stones EP, their first.
Each of the twelve discs will be individually packaged in a picture sleeve and will contain the original art while the actual CDs will take on the look of black vinyl 45s. There will also be a 28-page booklet included that will be filled to the brim with photos and liner notations. There is an essay by noted Stones historian, Nigel Williamson.
Soon to be coming will be The Rolling Stones Singles 1965-1967 scheduled for release in the Summer '04 while The Rolling Stones Singles 1968-1971 will hit stores in the Fall '04. Following is the track listing for you to salivate over from Box Set Volume 1 (1963-1965):
- Disc 1 - Come On / I Want To Be Loved (UK 1963)
- Disc 2 - I Wanna Be Your Man / Stoned (UK 1963 / US 1964)
- Disc 3 - The Rolling Stones EP: Bye, Bye Johnny / Money / You Better Move On / Poison Ivy (UK 1964)
- Disc 4 - Not Fade Away / Little by Little (UK 1964 / US 1964)
- Disc 5 - It's All Over Now / Good Times, Bad Times (UK 1964 / US 1964)
- Disc 6 - Five by Five EP: If You Need Me / Empty Heart / 2120 South Michigan Avenue / Confessin' The Blues / Around and Around (UK 1964)
- Disc 7 - Tell Me / I Just Want to Make Love To You (US 1964)
- Disc 8 - Time Is On My Side / Congratulations (US 1964)
- Disc 9 - Little Red Rooster / Off the Hook (UK 1964)
- Disc 10 - Heart of Stone / What a Shame (US 1964)
- Disc 11 - The Last Time / Play With Fire (US 1964 / US 1965)
- Disc 12 - Got Live If You Want It EP: We Want The Stones / Everybody Needs Somebody to Love / Pain in my Heart / Route 66 / I'm Moving On / I'm Alright (UK 1965).
Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time DVD-Audio is moved back in date just a little. This anticipated and much delayed release will shift from July 13 to July 27.
Sanctuary Records will release Neil Young's Greendale on DVD for May 18.
Who's a fan of the Spike and Mike twisted cartoons? That's what I thought. Shout! Factory is coming out with a collection of the best called Spike and Mike Classics which will street on May 25. Cool!
The Elvis Presley DVDs that are coming from BMG Heritage (and lost in these pages...somewhere) are as follows:
- Elvis' 1968 Comeback Special (Deluxe Edition) - 2DVD
- Aloha From Hawaii (Deluxe Edition) - 3DVD
These anticipated DVDs (you should see my emails...yes, highly anticipated) will be made available to fans on June 22.
March 23, 2004
We have a bit more for the lot of ya today. We've come back with the rest of the scoop of those Sony releases as well as some more additional news for you. We don't have any reviews formatted for your consumption but we'll have some tomorrow for you. What else? That's about it. So sit back and enjoy the news, write in your favourites on your calendar and then enjoy the rest of the day.
And remember FMac fans, tomorrow is the long awaited day for those Fleetwood Mac re-issues. Now, go and be rabid!
Don't forget the reader reviews. If you have a single paragraph about a favourite current album that you have, share it with the world. Write me here and use READER REVIEW in the subject line.
We have a few cool release pieces for you today.
The first piece is that Steriogram's Schmak!, originally expected on April 20, has been moved to May 4. Make your changes.
Virgin Records has announced the street date of A Perfect Circle's Lost in the Bermuda Triangle. This one will be issued on May 4.
May 4 is going to be a big day for a lot of you with the re-issued Pink Floyd (The Final Cut); 2 DVDs from Duran Duran (Arena: The Movie; Sing Blue Silver); and Kenny Rogers' 42 Ultimate Hits.
The real BIG news for today will please David Bowie fans. As we expected, The 30th Anniversary Edition of Diamond Dogs will come to stores on June 15. Like the other sets, you can expect this one to be packed and ultra cool.
For those waiting on the SOS Band's Greatest Hits coming from Virgin Records, the title shifts from June 29 to July 27.
But we're always talking about shifting to later dates. How about a rare shift backward? The upcoming Richard Marx title, My Own Best Enemy, originally dated for August 24 is now slated for August 10.
In the future, you can expect titles from David Arkenstone; more Dean Martin; and Neville Brothers; a Maze 'best of' ; a Delerium 'best of'; and a 'best of' for The Rat Pack.
To fulfill a promise of mentionable titles for the hints yesterday, here are the following Columbia and Legacy titles.
Legacy and Columbia will issue a 'best of' for Lightnin' Hopkins titled The Best of Lightnin' Hopkins on May 18.
Legacy and Columbia will also team up for another 'best of' called Shave 'Em Dry: The Best of Lucille Bogan. This one is scheduled for May 4.
There is a batch of Miles Davis re-issues on the burner for May 11. The titles included are:
- The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions
- The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions
- The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings of The Miles Davis Quartet: January 1965 to June 1968
- The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings
- The Complete Miles Davis with John Coltrane
Finally, Columbia has a re-issue for The Clash's Clash on Broadway that is scheduled for release on May 18.
This Rolling Stones Singles 1963-1965 Box will be released by Abkco Records and will contain early singles and rarities. This chronological set will feature 12 individual CDs that will start with the band's very first studio single as well as their subsequent singles issues, b-sides, and EPs that were released up to mid 1965.
The discs will replicate the the band's singles and EPs as well as rarities like the US withdrawn "Stoned" due to its 'immoral' content. There are 33 tracks here and is remarkable in the fact that this will be the first CD issues of EPs that were previously only released on vinyl. This will include The Rolling Stones EP, their first.
Each of the twelve discs will be individually packaged in a picture sleeve and will contain the original art while the actual CDs will take on the look of black vinyl 45s. There will also be a 28-page booklet included that will be filled to the brim with photos and liner notations. There is an essay by noted Stones historian, Nigel Williamson.
Soon to be coming will be The Rolling Stones Singles 1965-1967 scheduled for release in the Summer '04 while The Rolling Stones Singles 1968-1971 will hit stores in the Fall '04. Following is the track listing for you to salivate over from Box Set Volume 1 (1963-1965):
- Disc 1 - Come On / I Want To Be Loved (UK 1963)
- Disc 2 - I Wanna Be Your Man / Stoned (UK 1963 / US 1964)
- Disc 3 - The Rolling Stones EP: Bye, Bye Johnny / Money / You Better Move On / Poison Ivy (UK 1964)
- Disc 4 - Not Fade Away / Little by Little (UK 1964 / US 1964)
- Disc 5 - It's All Over Now / Good Times, Bad Times (UK 1964 / US 1964)
- Disc 6 - Five by Five EP: If You Need Me / Empty Heart / 2120 South Michigan Avenue / Confessin' The Blues / Around and Around (UK 1964)
- Disc 7 - Tell Me / I Just Want to Make Love To You (US 1964)
- Disc 8 - Time Is On My Side / Congratulations (US 1964)
- Disc 9 - Little Red Rooster / Off the Hook (UK 1964)
- Disc 10 - Heart of Stone / What a Shame (US 1964)
- Disc 11 - The Last Time / Play With Fire (US 1964 / US 1965)
- Disc 12 - Got Live If You Want It EP: We Want The Stones / Everybody Needs Somebody to Love / Pain in my Heart / Route 66 / I'm Moving On / I'm Alright (UK 1965).
Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time DVD-Audio is moved back in date just a little. This anticipated and much delayed release will shift from July 13 to July 27.
Sanctuary Records will release Neil Young's Greendale on DVD for May 18.
Who's a fan of the Spike and Mike twisted cartoons? That's what I thought. Shout! Factory is coming out with a collection of the best called Spike and Mike Classics which will street on May 25. Cool!
March 22, 2004
Bummer...So very little to report for a Monday that it's almost embarrassing to be here. We do have a tad bit that was relayed to us, namely some just scheduled Miles Davis re-issues from Legacy as well as a 'best of' for Lightnin' Hopkins from Columbia with a Legacy re-issued Clash on Broadway all in the works for sometime in May. I'll fill you in on all the details tomorrow as I'm hoping that we'll get some noise fired our direction.
What we do have is a breakdown of the previously mentioned Rolling Stones Singles Collection that is coming soon. Also, there are several Stones Singles Collections that will be released after this one. Check out the special report on this upcoming Stones release that spans the period of 1963-1965 in the CDs section.
One other thing. Did any of you get out to see Dawn of the Dead over the weekend? Bill, MissTAP (daughter), and myself caught it on Friday. Loads of fun and blood.
See you back here tomorrow.
Don't forget the reader reviews. If you have a single paragraph about a favourite current album that you have, share it with the world. Write me here and use READER REVIEW in the subject line.
This Rolling Stones Singles 1963-1965 Box will be released by Abkco Records and will contain early singles and rarities. This chronological set will feature 12 individual CDs that will start with the band's very first studio single as well as their subsequent singles issues, b-sides, and EPs that were released up to mid 1965.
The discs will replicate the the band's singles and EPs as well as rarities like the US withdrawn "Stoned" due to its 'immoral' content. There are 33 tracks here and is remarkable in the fact that this will be the first CD issues of EPs that were previously only released on vinyl. This will include The Rolling Stones EP, their first.
Each of the twelve discs will be individually packaged in a picture sleeve and will contain the original art while the actual CDs will take on the look of black vinyl 45s. There will also be a 28-page booklet included that will be filled to the brim with photos and liner notations. There is an essay by noted Stones historian, Nigel Williamson.
Soon to be coming will be The Rolling Stones Singles 1965-1967 scheduled for release in the Summer '04 while The Rolling Stones Singles 1968-1971 will hit stores in the Fall '04. Following is the track listing for you to salivate over from Box Set Volume 1 (1963-1965):
- Disc 1 - Come On / I Want To Be Loved (UK 1963)
- Disc 2 - I Wanna Be Your Man / Stoned (UK 1963 / US 1964)
- Disc 3 - The Rolling Stones EP: Bye, Bye Johnny / Money / You Better Move On / Poison Ivy (UK 1964)
- Disc 4 - Not Fade Away / Little by Little (UK 1964 / US 1964)
- Disc 5 - It's All Over Now / Good Times, Bad Times (UK 1964 / US 1964)
- Disc 6 - Five by Five EP: If You Need Me / Empty Heart / 2120 South Michigan Avenue / Confessin' The Blues / Around and Around (UK 1964)
- Disc 7 - Tell Me / I Just Want to Make Love To You (US 1964)
- Disc 8 - Time Is On My Side / Congratulations (US 1964)
- Disc 9 - Little Red Rooster / Off the Hook (UK 1964)
- Disc 10 - Heart of Stone / What a Shame (US 1964)
- Disc 11 - The Last Time / Play With Fire (US 1964 / US 1965)
- Disc 12 - Got Live If You Want It EP: We Want The Stones / Everybody Needs Somebody to Love / Pain in my Heart / Route 66 / I'm Moving On / I'm Alright (UK 1965).
Good news for us Steely Dan fans who were feeling sorry for ourselves in the wake of the recent announcements that would bring almost all the SD issues to SACD...except for the great Can't Buy A Thrill. It's been brought to my attention by readers that Can't Buy A Thrill is now expected to be released in SACD format after all. And now, we're all happy, right?
Officially, MCA has set July 20 as the date for the release of Aja, Countdown to Ecstasy, Katy Lied, Pretzel Logic, The Royal Scam, and Can't Buy A Thrill.
While we're at it, Mercury will release The Allman Brothers Band's Eat A Peach and Live at Fillmore East on May 18.
Sanctuary Records will release Neil Young's Greendale on DVD for May 18.
Who's a fan of the Spike and Mike twisted cartoons? That's what I thought. Shout! Factory is coming out with a collection of the best called Spike and Mike Classics which will street on May 25. Cool!
|
|
|
|
|
|
