I'm absolutely amazed at the power of the human brain to recall, often with complete clarity, the music that we have fallen in love with. I woke up the other day to a track from Rain Dances (1977), a phenomenal album by the unsung UK band, Camel. The song that played through in my head that early morning was one of the song off the album, "Skylines." It's not so fantastic that I remembered the song in it's entirety or that it even replayed in my head. What I found pretty awesome was the perfection with which it played back in my head.

I'm a Camel fan and so it's right to say that I've heard all of their works multiple times. And like all bands, I have my favorite albums and evolutionary periods of the band. On those albums, I have preferred tracks. Rain Dances is a completely fulfilling album from song one until the decaying notes of that gorgeous final track, "Rain Dances". In short, I know the album pretty well.

When I awoke, I was "listening" to my memory of that instrumental song from the album. My mind played it back to me with such precision that I could only be amazed at the detail that my mind has absorbed - and gave back to me. Every unique nuance of each instrument was there in it's full glory. Believe me, I had paid attention, as wildly unrealistic as that may sound.

We are human iPods and we're perfect (at least that amazing brain is). Can you imagine the untold thousands (or tens of thousands) of songs that are in there, all lossless? I just wanted to pass along a captivating moment because I think that you, of all people, know exactly what I speak of, and can appreciate this bit.

While we're talking about Camel, at one point we were chatting about great album covers. The cover of Rain Dances is pretty damn great with its ballerina-like fairies outside a rain-drizzled window with a child within watching the wonder that is taking place before his eyes. I've always been fascinated by that cover.

Sorry that I missed you on Monday but it was an unavoidable moment. I'm glad those are far and few between.

We have a new album review coming from Robert Metcalf on Friday. Watch for it.

I want to alert TAP readers to the fact that I have finally put together a FaceBook fan page that you can access and join by clicking on the badge below.  What this offers is the exact same thing as my Twitter feeds provide and that is first buzz on upcoming releases and free offered downloads, many announcements  that beat our main post, sometimes by days.  We also provide a Google BUZZ page that expands on most of the Twitter/FB feeds. On Buzz, you can even hear the music stream if a stream is offered.  There are still things that I'm working on in the FB page, like calender notes as well as links to great sites like The Second Disc.  I invite you to join us at our FB page and bookmark it.  Visit it daily and you'll be rewarded with much news and info.  Of course, you'll still want to come to the main MusicTAP page for our noisy commentaries.  Remember, with our Twitter feeds, you can elect to receive the news bursts as text on your mobile phone keeping you effortlessly up to date with stuff.  Lots of choices.  Find one, or two, that fits.

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Rhino Records plan the release of a multi-disc collection featuring George Harrison and Ravi Shankar called Collaborations, scheduling for October 19. The set is a 3CD/1DVD that should interest fans of Shankar and Harrison in his more explorative settings. Looks to be fascinating.

Reprise plan to release a colored vinyl version of Asylum with an included bonus CD. The Disturbed LP is on the calendar for October 5.

I have a cover for the upcoming 2DVD Slipknot DVD that is expected by Roadrunner Records on September 28. The DVD set is called Live at Download: (sic)nesses.

Music For Little People continues with the Maria Muldaur ("Midnight at the Oasis") series of songs for children, this one called Barnyard Dance: Jug Band Music For Kids. I love it when children are exposed to a wide range of musical styles, old and new. It can only help to extend the longevity of Rock music and any of the styles that we have leading up to now. I expose my granddaughter to a wide selection of music just to get her to accept it as a valid means of entertainment, and even deeper than that, a meaningful communication important to all. And she just turned 17 months but she loves all of it. The album is scheduled for October 12.

Eagle Rock Entertainment have a Carl Palmer (of ELP) album coming called Working Live - Volume 3. It is on the slate for October 19.

Metal Gods Records have the new studio release from Halford (Robb Halford) coming on September 28. The album is called Made of Metal.

Fuel Records have several CDs releases coming on October 26. Those expected are All Time Greatest Performances featuring Lobo, and Duets: Friends and Memories from Juice Newton.

Don't FORGET (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fans) that Geffen have an Anniversary Deluxe Edition (remastered) of Damn The Torpedoes coming on October 26. You cannot miss this one, fans. Also, there will be a single edition released on DD.

Watch for Eric Clapton: The 1960's Review on DVD being scheduled for October 19 by MVD Video. It covers a lot of formative ground during his "group" years.

And yes, in case you haven't seen it: Rod Stewart will continue to reward us with his next in his series of The Great American Songbook, this one called Fly Me To the Moon. This is Volume 5! It is expected on CD and LP, September 28, by J Records. Can folks do me a favour and quit gettnig these so we can get this series put to rest, muscling him toward the Faces reunion he REALLY ought be involved in.

Legacy have Blue Oyster Cult pencilled in for a series set, The Music of (Blue Oyster Cult), expected on October 5.

Finally, as reported by The Second Disc, Epic have a Faith update in the works scheduled for October 5. The George Michael title will see several versions released.