By now, many of you have run out to buy your selected Beatles remasters. Myself, I have five on the list. I've never really been a pre-Sgt Pepper fan of the Fab Four, and so I'll not be rushing to acquire those CDs. For me, it will be Sgt Pepper's, The White Album, Abbey Road, Let It Be, and Magical Mystery Tour. I'll even spring for the Past Masters release. Why not? I do respect the hits as well. But that is the extent for me. No Yellow Submarine even.

I am impressed with the excitement that these remasters have flared up. We may never see that kind of excitement again over anything in the remaining life of the CD. I wonder if we'll see that kind of excitement if there are reissued and remastered DDs (Digital Downloads) in the future. But I'm wondering if there are any bands that the younger crowd are absolutely impassioned over anymore. I have my doubts. It seems to be just about the song. If the song is great; it gets bought, and then, after a while, it slides out of reach because 50 other great songs have just replaced it in the ever-changing playlist. and by the way, "...who was the artist who made that one song that we used to listen to...ohhh, y'know...that band. Ahhh, never mind..."

I'm looking forward to this phenomenon of the 09-09-09 Beatles remasters; so anticipated, it gets it's own release date (Number 9?).

If you got your selections, send me email and let me know what you got, what you think, etc, etc...

One of our writers, Mark Squirek, has an interest. He wrote and told me a story about how Talking Heads has lost relevance for him. Well-enjoyed in the past, they just seemed to turn into something else after a few decades. Since he pondered that, he thought it would be interesting to see what bands you have shunned over the years. You know them...the band(s) that you wonder how they meant anything to you in the first place. So, as an interest, tell us who you used to think were great but have since lost all relevance.

We have a GREAT piece of Rolling Stones news for you that you should scroll down to see. I'm betting that you're gonna love THIS one. I know I do!

Several reviews coming on Friday!

Round 27 of Great Album Covers:

James McC.:

TrekkiELO:

and Josepth E.:

The GREAT news is that Abkco Records will be releasing a 40th Anniversary set for one of the greatest Live albums of all time, The Rolling Stones' Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out. Released in 1970, this album was called by Lester Bangs, "...the best rock concert ever put on record." On November 3, Abkco will release a 3CD/1DVD set called a Deluxe Box Set, while, on November 17, they will reissue a 3CD/3LP/1DVD Super Deluxe Box Set. Here's a cut 'n' paste run-down of both sets:

"The Deluxe Box Set comprises three audio CDs including a remastered disc of the original Ya-Ya’s repertoire as well as a disc of five previously unreleased Stones tracks recorded at the same Madison Square Garden shows.  The third CD encompasses unreleased performances by the shows’ stellar openers: B.B. King and Ike & Tina Turner, five songs from the former and seven songs from the latter.   The Box Set also includes a 56-page Collectors Edition book featuring photos and an essay by Ethan Russell, the acclaimed photographer who accompanied the Stones on the ’69 tour, as well as the original Rolling Stone Magazine review by Lester Bangs and a series of recollections from a cross-section of fans who attended the concerts and a replica of the original Stones ’69 tour poster by David Byrd.  There will be a code in a limited number of Box Sets enabling fans to download “I’m Free” for Guitar Hero 5.

Included as well is a bonus DVD by legendary filmmakers Albert and David Maysles, also entitled Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The film includes brilliantly shot full-length performances of the five previously unreleased Stones songs -- “Prodigal Son, “ “You Gotta Move,” “Under My Thumb,” “I’m Free” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Beyond the song performances – presented in 5.1 surround sound -- the film includes a sequence with Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Jack the donkey during the cover shoot for the Ya-Ya’s album and backstage tête-à-têtes between Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix and Mick Taylor.  During “Satisfaction” Janis Joplin is seen doing an impromptu boogaloo at the side of the stage. There is also a sequence shot at Olympic Studios in London during a mixing session plus a heliport summit meeting with the Grateful Dead.  The film will have its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on September 26.

The Super Deluxe edition of Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert includes all of the content of the Deluxe edition with the addition of three vinyl LPs, one of which has etched images featuring the cover art and the Rolling Stones' signatures.  The accompanying Collectors Edition Book and poster in the Super Deluxe edition have also been expanded to 12 x 12."

As if that weren't enough info for a rabid Stones fan, many of whom are not only salivating more for this and the upcoming Exile on Main Street remaster Box than any Beatles remasters, but I'll even throw in the track-listing for you sad souls:

Audio disc #1: original Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out album repertoire (remastered):

1.       Jumpin' Jack Flash
2.       Carol
3.       Stray Cat Blues
4.       Love In Vain
5.       Midnight Rambler
6.       Sympathy For The Devil
7.       Live With Me
8.       Little Queenie
9.       Honky Tonk Women
10.     Street Fighting Man

Audio disc #2: unreleased Rolling Stones tracks:

1.     Prodigal Son
2.     You Gotta Move
3      Under My Thumb
4.     I’m Free
5.     (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

Audio disc #3: B.B. King / Ike & Tina Turner sets:

1.      Everyday I Have The Blues
2.      How Blue Can You Get
3.      That’s Wrong Little Mama
4.      Why I Sing The Blues
5.      Please Accept My Love
6.      Gimme Some Loving  
7.      Sweet Soul Music
8.      Son Of A Preacher Man
9.      Proud Mary
10.    I've Been Loving You Too Long
11.    Come Together
12.    Land Of 1000 Dances

Tracks 1 - 5: B.B. King 
Tracks 6 - 12: Ike & Tina Turner

DVD: Maysles Brothers” Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out  film:

1.       Prodigal Son
2.       You Gotta Move
3.       Under My Thumb
4.       I’m Free
5.       (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

Don't I ALWAYS have something nice for you?

Rhino Records will be releasing several editions of a new collection for The Bee Gees called Ultimate Bee Gees: The 50th Anniversary Collection. this set will be available as a CD, and as a Deluxe Edition CD/DVD set. Both sets are expected to street on November 3.

Time/Life have a few titles coming that include The First 50 Years Greatest Duets for Kenny Rogers (CD); Duets (The Blind Boys of Alabama (CD); and Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years (3CD). All T/L sets are expected to be issued on October 27.

Rhino will release a Various Artists 2LP coloured vinyl set called Whip It (Music from the Motion Picture), planned for October 27.

Warner Brothers will release two versions of Live at the Olympia from R.E.M. on October 27. The CD-only set will be a 2CD issue while the Special Editiontitle will be 2CD/1DVD.

Sire Records will release Sainthood from Tegan and Sara on October 27.

Warner Brothers will release Embryonic by The Flaming Lips in several formats that include a Limited Edition 2CD/1DVD set, the standard CD release, and a coloured vinyl (one is transparent yellow, the other is transparent blue) 2LP set with a bonus CD included. These are scheduled for October 13.

Atlantic Records will release Reservoir by Fanfarlo on October 13.

We will repeat (because we have a cover shot now) that Surfdog Records will release Songs From Lonely Avenue from The Brian Setzer Orchestra on CD, and on LP (with bonus CD), planned for October 13.

Elektra Records will release Number One Hits for Eddie Rabbitt, which spans the 17 #1 hits that he has enjoyed over the time span of 1976-1990. This set was originally scheduled for May 12, now tentative for October 6.

Reprise Records will re-release Get Lucky from Mark Knopfler in a 2LP, 180g set, planning for September 29. The CD version will release on September 15.

We have a few Christmas-related issues for you that include My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli, scheduled for November 3 on DD, as well as Midwinter Graces from Tori Amos (DD), planned for November 10, and a Various Artists collection of The Ultimate Motown Christmas Collection, scheduled for October 20 on DD. On DVD, Mesa Blue Moon will issue Fireside Christmas with Chanticleer, scheduled for October 27.

On November 3, Geffen Records will release several versions of Live at Reading, a Nirvana title planned in DVD and CD formats. The LP version arrives a few eeks later on November 17.

Interscope Records will issue a DD EP for Black Eyed Peas called Invasion of I Gotta Feeling - Megamix EP, scheduling for September 2.

The band is fronted by brothers Sonny and Michael Kilfoyle who are self-described “New Yorkers/Brooklynites by way of  Boston.”  Their intentions are pure, and their music is loud. They’ve got a 4-song EP, Teen Age, out now, digitally.

There is a downloadable free MP3, "Casually Sad Mercedes" that you can have.

They can be sampled further at their MySpace,and Facebook pages.

If you ever liked Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxie and the Banshees, and/or killing Joke, then we have a new discovery for you. The Opposite Sex from DC has returned with an EP that juice those of you who appreciate good talent and that draws influence from the music that you loved in the past.

Their new (09/01) EP, Live + Burn follows their Violent Heartstrings from 2007 with more great music. I'll be surprised if you DON'T like 'em. To get you started, they are gifitng you with a free downloadable MP3 from the EP, "Frozen Heart, Frozen Mind."

They can be sampled further at their MySpace, Facebook, and LastFM. You can even follow 'em on Twitter.