Let's start this week with something fun and worthy of discussion,  On Friday while I was driving in to work, I heard a Journey song on the radio.  I've always considered the lead guitar lines played by Neal Schon on their "Who's Crying Now" to be memorable and well-crafted.  I'm even more fixated by his guitar work on the greatly under-appreciated "When You Love a Woman." All of this led me to wondering why you never really hear all THAT much about Neal Schon as a great guitar player of significant note.  Of course there are those will list him in a long list of guitarists but, by and large, he's relegated to the bottom of most lists if he even appears at all.

This led me into deeper thought (I know, how do you concentrate enough to drive, right?).  I began to think of Bill Nelson (BeBop Deluxe), Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash), Rory Gallagher, Roy Buchanon, and a myriad of other extraordinary guitar players that absolutely no one knows nor acknowledges.

For today, and for the rest of the week, let's concentrate on underrated guitarists.  Send me your one guitarist that just does not get any attention (although they should).  They don't have to be virtuoso, just underrated.  One of my choices is Ronnie Wood.  Compare his Faces guitar work with his 30+ years of Rolling Stones guitar work and you'll easily hear 30+ years of suppression.  Ronnie Wood is very underrated as a guitarist.

We live in a world largely fixated by the accepted kings (Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Howe, Eric Clapton, etc), and some of them are overrated (yes, some of them are.  I won't say who I think are overrated out of respect and for the stream of emails I'd receive afterwards).  It's time we gave honorable mention to whom honorable mention is due, don't you think?

Send your selections to this email link and let's get it started.

We want to acknowledge the recent passings of Ed Thigpen AKA Mr Taste, a jazz drummer of note who has worked with Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Taylor, and other important jazz figures, and Bobby Charles, best known for his songs including "See You Later, Alligator."

I have a review for you of another album that originates from 2009 (like our last review of Bad Lieutenant, also from 2009) that's too good to ignore. This one is for Great Escape by UK band, The Rifles.

We have a winner for the single disc distillation of Elvis 75. Congratulations to Greg. I hope that you'll enjoy the disc as much as we have. All others, we hope that we'll be able to present another contest shortly.

We'll see you again on Wednesday with another review and more stuff.

I have a music-related app idea that I'm fleshing out but, surprise, I can't code for it. If anyone out there can write iPhone/iPod apps, and would like to do a collaboration for a 50/50 revenue split, let me know.

Rhino Records moves the expected LP (180g) reissue of Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper to its new date of March 30. It is slated for a MSRP of $34.98 but should fetch lower prices at all the right places. Remember when vinyl was just $5.99?

A&M Records will release an Authorized Bootleg series title for .38 Special called Authorized Bootleg - Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, NY - 1/29/85. It is currently slated as a DD release expected on March 30.

Hear Music will release a CD for The Chieftains called San Patricio, which will feature Ry Cooder. It is expected on March 9.

MCA Nashville will release an Authorized Bootleg series title for Merle Haggard & The Strangers called Authorized Bootleg - Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee. It is pencilled in for May 4.

A&M has a Rock title coming from The Courteeners called Falcon, which is scheduled for March 16.

Epic Records will release a vinyl LP version of Soldier of Love from Sade that will include a digital code for a DD. This is scheduled for February 16.

Geffen Records will release a Deluxe Edition of Smoke & Mirrors from Lifehouse on February 23.

ATO Records will release an album by a band I like around these parts, Alberta Cross. The earlier released album, called Broken Side of Time, makes its arrival on March 9.

429 Records has a new BoDeans coming called Mr Sad Clown, now scheduled for April 6.

Friday Music has a 180g LP reissue coming of Point of Know Return by Kansas. It is slated for a February 23 release date. It will be a Limited Edition Gatefold.

Renaissance Records has Shadowland, and Heartland, both by Michael Stanley coming out on February 23. Recordings are remastered.

Alive Records will release Live Beg Borrow & Steal: October 31, 1981 - Whiskey by The Plimsouls on February 23.

Sundazed has vinyl LP coming for Couldn't Stand the Weather, Soul to Soul, and Texas Flood, all by Stevie Ray Vaughan, slated for reissue on February 23.

Wounded Bird will reissue Double Dose on CD by Hot Tuna (and I LOVE me some Hot Tuna, ALWAYS), on February 23.

Darla Records will release an EP by Robin Guthrie called Sunflower Stories on February 23.

Universal will release a 2CD Expanded Edition of Touch Me in the Morning by Diana Ross, expected on February 23.