Sorry for the non-post on Monday.  It was a very busy weekend, more busy than I’m used to and that ate greatly into the assembly of the site.  Good thing that it doesn’t happen often.

I’ll be wrapping up the Led Zeppelin discussion today, posting the numbers.  But we’ll wait until Monday before introducing a new band.  If you have suggestions, feel free to send them in.  In one of the Led Zeppelin emails, someone threw in the thought that music has become quite disposable in this age due to the proliferation of download-ability.  Several decades back, before the advent of common usage internet, we all had to selectively acquire an album by someone that we enjoyed.  Not only did this require money, but it also required thought before you shelled out that cash.  It seemed to be much easier to follow music careers when you were invested in the band by owning some, if not all, of their albums.

Rolling that around in my head, I realized that there was some truth to that.  Now, we have access to tons of music, and much of it is free.  Add to that the extreme availability of albums via P2P, that makes the acquisition of huge libraries very easily attained.  But can it all possibly be listened to?  Do we allot enough time for a band to develop within our own hearts or do we just simply move on?

Looking at myself, I realize that my own libraries are significantly large.  I also note that my time to listen to those acquired libraries have grown less, simply because they are too large for me to enjoy properly.  And with trying to discover a current batch of bands to enjoy and grow with, you lessen your available time further.

Oh boy…

Which brings us to a balance sheet.  When do we settle back and listen to our acquired music, adopt a few more as we go along to keep up, and then enjoy it all just as we meant to?  Balance is what it is all about, I now realize.  Quality is what keeps us going.  Discussions like the ones that we have allow us to keep it sharp and to perhaps adjust our thinking by exploring what others might be suggesting.  But we still need to leave plenty of time to play the things we grew up with, expand that a bit, and keep up with a few new bands, just to stay on top of it.  As TAP, that’s what I want to help others do; to keep a great perspective on the past, ask ourselves why we liked what we did, and to add to that personal history with new stuff.

I now consider TAP to be an evolving online magazine heading the direction that will make it a magazine with editorials and such, much like we used to educate ourselves with in the heydays of print magazines.  Who doesn’t remember with fondness, the crisp pages of Crawdaddy!, Rolling Stone, Creem, Circus, Trouser Press, and the other magazines that led us down paths we might not have followed had we not read a mention of one band or another.

This leads me to a ‘between posts’ question, which will be, Which of those mentioned magazines – and those not mentioned – had the greatest impact on your developing musical tastes when you were younger?  Send me your choice and I’ll post the results.  Besides, I know which were my favourites; it will be great to see how I match up with the rest of you with reading material.

I have some new reviews that we need to get posted.  The new ones include reviews of the final releases of the Re-Mastered ELP collection undertaken by Shout! Factory. Those titles include Love Beach, and Black Moon. I also review an EP of tracks from Victorian Halls (Chicago) called Springteen, Finally, James Hrivnak reviews Konk by The Kooks.

On next post, I’ll recount the adventure of LP hunting at an Orange County show.  I attended one in Buena Park (love to see a larger one) and enjoyed conversing with several of the venders over rarities, availabilities, the merits and genius of several performers (one was Michael Hoenig, a German synth composer, of whom I talked quite a bit with one vendor, even purchasing the one copy he had in his possession for $15).  I’ll elaborate further soon and perhaps you can even tell me about your experiences.

I asked on our last post if there is a song that enthralls you.  I’m sure there are many but for now, for me, it is “When You Love a Woman” from the last Steve Perry iteration of Journey.  It showcases a strong maturity of the band in many ways and is as heartfelt a song that Perry has ever sung.  Although Grammy nominated, it is likely one of the least known Journey hits.  And yet, when I play it for people they are amazed.  Now I’m wondering if there are folks that hear a song only to find they are absolutely amazed by it.  If you have one like that, old or new, I’d like to hear what it is.

The Led Zeppelin debate was a fascinating one. Clearly, all respondents had thought this one out. All albums were covered with a surprising amount selecting In Through The Out Door as a favourite. This is how it all shaped out:

The Favourite Led Zeppelin album by a vote of 26 was - Physical Grafitti. The rest panned out as (in order):

• Led Zeppelin IV
• Led Zeppelin I
• Houses of the Holy
• Led Zeppelin III
• Led Zeppelin II
• Presence
• In Through the Out Door

The recognized Greatest Achievement album by a vote of 31 was - Led Zeppelin IV. The rest (in order):

• Houses of the Holy (very close with a vote of 28. At one point in tabulation, I thought it was a runaway choice).
• Physical Grafitti
• Led Zeppelin II
• Presence

We also received notes on Greatest Achievements not so much as being albums but, rather, other things. One suggestion was "...the ability to keep control of their empire...," while another was being "...a bridge between '60s-based blues-rock n roll and what would become heavy metal..." We'll select another one to have fun with in the very near future.

I've compiled some interesting facts for you in terms of album sales. They are as follow: (LedZep I - 10 Million; LedZep II - 12 Million; LedZep III - 6 Million; LedZep IV - 22 Million; Houses of the Holy - 11 Million; Presence - 3 Million; Physical Grafitti - 15 Million; In Through the Out Door - 6 Million). These numbers were as of 2001 so it is quite likely the numbers have risen significantly...but it gives you an idea.

We’ll see you on Monday as Friday is July 4th. For those that celebrate the 4th of July, be safe and have a load of fun!!

If you have missed the last As The Disc Spins (updated), check it out here.

To access the previous site and catch up, click here.

Rounder has a few albums coming out that you might find to be of great interest.  The first is one from Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper called Leavin’ Town.  This is the band’s debut release, formed around the Michael Cleveland, who was IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Fiddle Player of the Year – 5 times!  The band, Flamekeeper, is made up of notable members from other popular bands.  If you like your bluegrass, then this is likely an album to check out.  It is scheduled for July 29.

Rounder will also release a compilation for Tony Rice called Nightflyer, which will feature 16 tracks including three previously unreleased songs.  This album will be available on July 29.

Finally, Rounder plans to release an album from Phish bassman, Mike Gordon.  The album is called The Green Sparrow and will feature some great guest musicians that include Phish pals, Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, along with Bill Kreutzman (Grateful Dead), Ivan Neville, and Chuck Leavell.  This anticipated album is expected on August 5 and will release on both CD (4-panel digipak), and LP. 

Good ole Stax Records (now helmed by Concord Music Group) will release a set of 12 original tunes from Steve Cropper (Otis Redding; Booker T & The MGs; Blues Brothers), and Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals) called Nudge It Up a Notch.  These old-school boys will give us a new dose of blues and soul with their new album coming out on July 29.

Verve Forecast plan the release of Nobody Left to Crown by ‘60s Soul/R&B master, Richie Havens.  His newest album is his first in 4 years and is a rounded collection of covers and originals, including “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (The Who); “Lives in the Balance” (Jackson Browne); “Standing on the Water” (Andy Fairweather Low), amongst others.  This album is pencilled in for July 29.

Also from Stax is a new disc of songs from ‘60s favourite, Eddie Floyd (“Knock on Wood”).  His new album, called Eddie Loves You So, will provide 10 songs he had originally written for, and recorded by, other artists in the ‘50s and ‘60s.  This album is scheduled for July 29.

Lost Highway, in association with Vertigo Records, will release a British folk album by Johnny Flynn called A Larum.  This album is planned for standard CD and vinyl LP.  It is planned for July 29.

Watch for Jack Johnson’s bandmate (and old college roommate) Zach Gill, who will release his debut album on Johnson’s Brushfire Records.  For those that love Jack Johnson, you may find something as satisfying in Zach Gill’s Stuff, which is set for releases on July 29.  Also on Brushfire Records is a solo album coming from the UK’s Neil Halstead (Slowdive; Mojave 3) called Oh! Mighty Engine.  It too is scheduled for July 29.

Sean Kelly and his band, Crash Kelly, with plenty of Aerosmith, KISS, Rolling Stones, T-Rex influences, will release his new album on July 29.  The album is called One More Heart Attack and is released on Warrior Records.

Specialty Records, a subsidiary of Concord Music Group, will release The Very Best of Little Richard with 25 of his classics digitally re-mastered.  This is the first comprehensive collection in over 20 years to feature all of his big hits.  This album also features the rare 1964 medley, recorded in Paris, of “Ain’t That a Shame/I Got a Woman/Tutti Frutti (Live).” It is planned for July 29.

Scars on Broadway’s self-titled album is being prepped for delivery on July 29 from Interscope Records.  This band is Daron Malakian, and John Dolmayan, both from System of a Down.  Scars on Broadway will be released in PA, Edited, and a Digipak version, as well as a now becoming obligatory LP release.  As a side note, the album’s single, “They Say,” is planned to be available as a downloadable song on the upcoming Rock Band II game, planned for August.

I've taken a bit of a shine for the shoegaze band from NYC called Soundpool. they have a nice mesh of sound that gives off vibes of Cocteau Twins. I think that fans of shoegaze will find Soundpool to be worthy. Their website can be accessed at the link.

James Hrivnak checks in with a review of Konk from BritBand, The Kooks. Their CD and 7" vinyl Single, Shine On, is expected on July 7 in the UK. Click on the cover to order.