I've started on a new kind of path. I've been rebuilding my LP collection, repurchasing titles from various stores, record shows, etc. I quickly realized just how much music I've missed out on back in the '60s (when I had very little cash), and in the '70s, when I had more but still never enough to completely experiment to the depth that I wanted (there wasn't enough hours in the day for that). As I perused the boxes and shelves, I recognized many bands that I have heard a song or two from but whose music I never bought an album of. I guess I'm a little shocked on just how much music there was back then.

So, as a direct result, I've scaled back a tad on all of the new music arriving (but not ignoring it), and am now starting to familiarize myself with the music that I knew existed (or didn't) because, hey, if I'm going to be deliriously happy musically, I could lose myself in the era that I loved most. It'd be a kind of time machine where I'm completely absorbed in the music that originated during my youth years and it feels new (just like it did back then).

Personally, I think that it's been a great idea and a fantastic experience. And I highly recommend the practice to many of TAP's readers. I'm suggesting adding a new turntable to your sound system if you don't already have one. Find a regular LP show near you (they really are almost everywhere). Peruse, and do it leisurely, not rushed. Many standard used LPs run around $2-5 per disc. This means that the bargains you'll pick up will actually cost you less than when you regularly purchased LPs all those many years ago.

Of course, from time to time, you'll run across a pristine copy of a classic album that you loved (maybe even a factory-sealed one), and you'll have to have it. It might run you $10-20 but it'd be worth it to have a fresh copy. Myself, I have a first-issue moments. If I get an album that I loved, I don't want the second issue or anything after that because that wasn't the way I enjoyed it. Case in point is the first-issue School's Out album (Alice Cooper) with the die-cut desk jacket, the clear thin plastic sleeve, and the paper panties (of which there were several colors) that secured the LP within the sleeve, and the olive green WB label. Another example is also an Alice Cooper album, his boxed Muscle of Love. Subesquent releases of that album were in a single (non-gatefold) jacket, as were the subsequent issuances of the School's Out album sans the panties, and changed by releasing on the WB Burbank label imprint. I just need history to repeat itself for me and not throw me off. That's why I go for the hard to find stuff (I STILL haven't found the original AC releases, although I did finally find Killer with the calendar (detached) included).

While re-collecting the familiar titles, the ones that you used to have copies of, I have also made it a point to pick up one or two of something that I haven't heard much of or haven't heard at all. Since starting this practice, I've become blissful beyond belief. I find myself far more immersed in music as I play it on my turntable than I have been in many, many years. I'm serious. I've found a worm hole to the past.

To this end, I've purchased an expansive book by Rockin' Records to help me in my education. Over 1000 pages of titles by artists covering many years. The years I'm most interested in are the '60s and '70s. It should prove to be quite a good hobby!

Check it out for yourself. Let me know if you feel the same or if you're going to take my advice and get back out there. I'd love to hear your stories.

John Dunphy has turned in a dual-review page of two Live Marillion albums. One is Size Matters, the other is Tumbling Down The Years. We don't get to see John much down these parts so when he does show up at our door, he's pretty excited about an album (or two). And then we get excited.

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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The first note of interest is uncovered by our friends over at The Second Disc. Mike Duquette has posted the upcoming arrival of the John Lennon catalog revitalization campaign (referred to as Gimme Some Truth) that will also include a new hits compilation, a 72-track Box (Gimme Some Truth), and an all-inclusive, 11-disc assembly called The John Lennon Signature Box as well as a Special Edition of Double Fantasy. Get the scoop here and here.

Gotee Records will release Suburba by House of Heroes on August 3.

Time/Life Records plan the release of a Buck Owens collection called Buck Owens: All Time Greatest Hits on July 27.

Fuel Records will release Performance 1932-1949 for Al Jolson, scheduling the CD issue for August 24. Fuel Records will also release a Performance series title for Patti Page on the same date.

I'm a little pleased to see this title making a comeback. Rounder Records will reissue Christmas Island from Leon Redbone, which is a gem of a Holiday collection sung by the inimitable voice. Christmas Island was originally released by the Peter Baumann-run Private Music label. It's great to see this one back. Highly recommended. Reissues on July 13.

David Geffen Records will release the S/T debut of Maximum Balloon on August 24 in both CD and DD formats.

Concord Records will release Lust, Love & Lies by Will Downing on September 7.

Wind Up Records will release The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday by 12 Stones on July 20.

Legacy and Columbia will release the next Iron Maiden album, The Final Frontier, on August 17 on CD, Deluxe CD, and LP.

Masterworks plan the assembly and release of The Essential Etta James on July 13 on both CD and DD formats.

Shout! Factory will release Year One and Extra Width + Mo Width by The Jon Spencer Explosion on August 10. Extra Width (1993) is appended with the Australian-only LP, Mo' Width (also 1993).

If you're interested, Legacy and Columbia has released John Dawson Winter III (1974) by Johnny Winter into the digital realm (DD) on June 29.

Plastic Head Distribution will add the vinyl reissue of Live 1982 by Hawkwind to the upcoming Blood of the Earth CD/LP release that is expected on August 10. Plastic Head will also release vinyl LP for Live 77 for Thin Lizzy, same date.

Season of Mist will release Option Paralysis by The Dillinger Escape Plan on CD on July 27.

Nuclear Blast America will release The Panic Broadcast by Soilwork on CD and Deluxe CD, schedulng the title for July 13.

Silver Arrow Records will release The Croweology for The Black Crowes in both CD and LP on August 3.

Eleven Seven Music will release All Night Long by Buckcherry on August 3 (CD).

Evil Teen Records will release Mulennium by Gov't Mule on CD planning for August 3.