If you grew up listening to the radio in the '60s, then you easily remember songs by a rock band with a genuine soulful voice called The Box Tops.  Especially notable is their song, "The Letter." Equally wonderful hits from the band include "Soul Deep" (my personal favorite), "Cry Like a Baby," and to a lesser extent, "Neon Rainbow." And, while I adore The Band's cover of Dylan's magnificent "I Shall Be Released," The Box Tops' version is also high on my list of favorite covers of that Dylan classic.

The voice of Alex Chilton made those songs stand out in a multitude of remarkable ways.  Their songs overshadowed music on the airwaves when they were hits.  They became more then just songs, they became bookmarks.  I can still remember the first time that I heard any of the before mentioned songs.  I can recall those days in my life just by hearing the songs over again.  Chilton's voice was that difference.

Alex Chilton died Wednesday, March 17, of a heart attack, at the very young age of 59.  My heart was broken because I mourn the passing of a talent that gave me a clear look at my past whenever I needed the clarity of a better time.  Not to mention that his contributions to Rock are beyond the usual.  Even his under-rated Pop/Rock work with Chris Bell in Big Star ('70s) was tasteful and highly revered by some as greatly influential.  The reality is that volumes can be written about Chilton's accomplishments, much after his remarkable run with The Box Tops.

I will miss Alex Chilton greatly.  When I hear those songs again, not only will they remind me of my youth and of the days that I first heard them, but now they will also remind me of Alex Chilton.  Goodbye, Alex.  What you bring to The Great Band is without measure!

Alex Chilton
1950-2010
RIP

Today, I bring you an indie release review of the recently issued compilation set of music from Joey Stuckey called So Far.

Have a great weekend!

I want to alert TAP readers to the fact that I have finally put together a FaceBook page with an easily remembered URL in http://www.facebook.com/musictap.  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.

Business is slow as long as SxSW is full swing. In case you're unaware, SxSW (South by SouthWest) is an annual film/music showcase event held in Austin, TX. It gets quite busy there and PR, labels, and other 'necessary to TAP' contacts are lost within the confines of that wilderness.

Eagle Rock Entertainment has acquired the rights to release two Rolling Stones titles on DVD. The first is one that is expected in June, coinciding with the release of the Anniversary Edition of Exile On Main Street, Stones In Exile. Stones in Exile chronicles the recording process of that classic album and should be a wonderful companion to the new release of the album. The second is Ladies and Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones, a full concert from the 1972, Mick Taylor era of The Stones. This film is expected to be released theatrically and after, to be released as a DVD and BD (Blu-ray). That title is expected in the Fall of this year. We'll have the actual dates as we get closer.

Fat Possum Records will be re-releasing the 2006 album by Heartless Bastards, All This Time, in vinyl LP. This release is expected on April 27. This band is superb! All three albums! You should check them out.

Sarah McLachlan has announced that her new album, The Laws of Illusion, will be released on June 15.

One of our favorite sites, Pause and Play, has listed that the upcoming 3CD Disintegration '25th Anniversary Edition' by The Cure will be delayed until May 25.

Mercury Records plan a DD (digital download) of Fool's Parade by Peter Wolf on April 6.

Columbia Records and Legacy Vinyl will release an LP version of Child Is Father To The Man from Blood, Sweat & Tears on April 13 on 180g vinyl. Also being released on 180g vinyl are Head Hunters (Herbie Hancock), At Budokan (Cheap Trick), Social Distortion (Social Distortion), Remixed & Reimagined (Billie Holiday), and Passion and Warfare (Steve Vai).

Reprise Records will approach Record Store Day with their own vinyl LP offering with the re-release of Money and Cigarettes by Eric Clapton. Slated for April 27. Hey guys, what about No Reason to Cry?

The upcoming Meat Loaf album, Hang Cool Teddy Bear, will join their standard CD issue of the title with a 2CD Special Edition. Both are scheduled for May 11.