Not too long ago it became evident that the music listening public was getting fed up with the music industry (whatever that may be).  They rebelled.  It was a public against a gouging industry.  That public sided with the artists. 

Recently, I’ve come across stuff that indicates that the artists are now gouging their fan-base by demanding massive pay-offs from promoters, who, in turn, pass that along to the public.  Then on top of that there are exorbitant parking fees, convenience fees, and other terrible, terrible practices (Bob Lefsetz has addressed this in detail).  And that same public is, once again, rebelling en masse.  This time, they’re disgusted by the artists themselves. 

Many of us remember a time when concerts were very affordable; t-shirts were sold at very reasonable prices, and none of the accompanying accessory charges plagued a ticket sale.

A sick music industry (music creation and distribution) needs a renaissance; a revitalization.  We need a return to the glory days of music that wasn’t ALL about the money. 

I certainly miss those days.

We had several sad deaths, one that I am ashamed that I missed. The most recent death is Willy Deville, who passed away on August 6 from pancreatic cancer. His contributions to music include his tenure in Mink Deville, which gave us a solid body of work in the late '70s leading into the '80s. Willy Deville left us early but his music will be remembered forever.

The other death was John "Marmaduke" Dawson, who started the New Riders of the Purple Sage. That band's popular country rock flavouring was influential and yielded sone great albums including The Adventures of Panama Red. Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, and Phil Lesh enjoyed quality time with the band at their start. Dawson left our world on July 21, 2009 afflicted with stomach cancer. He was 64.

Both will add some greatness to the Great Band.

We've been given the OK to provide you links to two excellent songs by The Rifles as well as a video. We really hope that you enjoy them. The video is The Great Escape and can be enjoyed by clicking the link. The downloadable MP3s can be had by clicking the available links following: The Great Escape and I Could Never Lie.

TAP has a review from the set of Neil Young remasters as provided by Mark Squirek. This time, he revisits Neil Young's masterpiece album, Harvest.

Here's the next round of Great Album Covers:

Thomas K:

Rob C:

and finally, this by Jeff B.:

Varese Sarabande will release the new A R Rahman album, Vande Mataram, on September 22.

DGC REcords will release Daisy from Alternative band, Brand New, scheduling for September 22. There will also be an LP release for this title.

You know now - dare I say it - that Christmas is just mere months away. You can always begin to hear the bells ringing about this time as the labels begin to ramp up their holiday offerings. On November 3, ECM Records will release Carla's Christmas Carols by Carla Bley. Rest assured, more are coming.

We had mentioned the upcoming Digital issue of Love In Time by Dan Fogelberg. That will now also be available on CD issuing on September 22.

Dream Records will release a Rock title from I'm OK You're OK called Presents:, scheduling for September 22.

Universal Motown will release the S/T debut from Days Difference on October 6.

Ecstatic Peace Records plan to release Yankee Reality by Hush Arbors, planning for a release date of October 6.

Island Records will reissue two Ludo albums, S/T (Ludo) - (2004); and Broken Bride (2005). Those are planned by the label on September 29.

Island Def Jam will release a 3CD Collector's Set (?) for Mariah Carey on September 15.

Ipecac Records will release Chicken Switch by The Melvins, slating the release date for September 29.

Island Records will release Break Through the Silence by Monty Are I on September 22.

429 Records will release Romance in Rio by Stephen Bishop on September 29.

Vagrant Records has Beggars on the calendar from Thrice, scheduling for September 15.

Hollywood favours an industrial style of music when soundtracking for their high energy action films.  Good reasoning as that style of music is like audio adrenaline and seems to engage the listener with heart-pounding effect.  And within a film that stars the current energetic action hero, Jason Statham, such music just seems right.

Composed and performed by Mike Patton of Faith No More/Fantomas fame, this experimentally  industrial 32-track set is the wired, standalone music from the Statham vehicle, Crank: High Voltage.  It is a definite fan-set as it is quite musically inconsistent, transitioning from one track to another.  But Patton fans are used to the eclectic manner in which he works and so a set like this should be satisfying to them.  But traditional soundtrack buyers should beware.  What works with visual counterparts within the film, may be bizarre in a non-visual environment.   ** ½

Nettwerk Records will digitally release the 4-track EP, named Great Escape, by UK's The Rifles, whom Paul Weller of The Jam has gushed about, on July 28. Later in the year, Nettwerk will release their full-length album, which we'll be sure to cover. Three tracks found on this release will NOT be found on the band's upcoming album. Check 'em out at Facebook, and/or MySpace, and/or their official site.