We all know that death is inevitable but Big D needs to take a breather here. Starting out 2010 with such a string of passings is a bit too much, especially for those of us who have grown up with those who are departing this mortal coil.

On January 18, our love affair with Kate McGarrigle had been dealt a severe blow when, at the age of 63, and after having battled with cancer, she passed away. Hers was an immense talent that spoke to many of us. Mother to Rufus and Martha Wainwright, both talents on their own, her unique voice will be missed forever. Kate, you may not be here with us in person any longer, but your spirit remains. We know what a quality you bring to the Great Band.

Kate McGarrigle
1946-2010
RIP
(I love this picture of Kate)

We here in Southern California have been literally beat down with a lot of rain over the last few days. On Monday, Mrs TAP and I spent quite a few hours combating the encroaching water toward our back door (in the rain), and helping our next door neighbor do the same. All told, we were outside in pushing water, moving water away from trouble spots after the rain had stopped , and then ran all over hunting down sandbags, and then sand to fill them with. After today's burst of rainfall (unexpected since the rainfall was not expected to be as intense as it turned out to be), and a gale force wind lifted our swing into the air and slammed it to the ground converting it into a bent mess, the neighbor and I went for more sandbags. Wow! Needless to say, we're a bit sore, tired, and, in general, wet.

I can understand and sympathize with those who suffer great loss under the deluge of a monster rainfall. While I don't know in the literal sense what it is to be in such a predicament, I can, in some smaller way, realize the range of emotions that must go through those who experience it.

Next, our Poll for underrated guitarist has been a busy one, with many reponses. On Monday, I'll post some results of the Poll. There are so many great choices! If you're just coming in, you can read (and respond) to the poll below. It's fun!

We have a review for you today from a new source, Mike Duquette. Mike Duquette has interned with Universal and currently runs a website that is very insightful. I recommend that you check it out. We hope that he continues to contribute with us. Today, he provides a review of the recently released The Costello Show: Live at Hollywood High by Elvis Costello, a performance hinted at in newly released LPs of Armed Forces as a free 3-track EP 45 back in 1979.

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.

I also want to bring your attention to the loss of Erich Segal, author of Love Story, and had a hand in creating The Beatles' Yellow Submarine. (Last post, I, for some reason that I believed, stated that Segal was responsible for writing Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I was wrong. Thanks to those that pointed out that error.) From a Pop culture standpoint, Love Story made a big impact back in the '70s as well as squeezed the tears out of every teenage girl. He was 72.

Back on Friday!

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.

Reprise Records will release vinyl for the upcoming Serj Tankian album, Elect the Dead Symphony. It is slated for release on the same day that the standard CD and CD/DVD Deluxe Edition issues are (March 9). It will be released as 2LP.

Warner Brothers will release 180g vinyl LP for Communique by Dire Straits on March 2.

The originally posted release date for the upcoming ArgyBargy reissue by Squeeze is being nudged over to April 7 by A&M Records. It is now slated as a Deluxe Edition DD, and a 2CD Deluxe Edition.

Yep, that's it for today. Slow, huh?!