No sooner did the ink dry on these pages, I got word that John Martyn had passed away. John Martyn was a great creator and innovator. His music were experimentations that successfully influenced future musicians in many ways. If you have heard any of Martyn's great early works, particularly those of the '70s (Soild Air; Inside Out), then you can hear how important his contributions to Rock is. Martyn's life was plagued by many demons, alcohol and drugs were chief among them but they never stopped John Martyn from making music, a force that drove him primarily. This British musician may not have been known to everyone but those that knew his genius was rewarded for having known his music.

Martyn died in Ireland on January 29 of unknown causes. He was 60 years old, an age far too young to depart this world for another. But now that he is gone,perhaps we can delve into his music more closely and enjoy his works, much like we did with Nick Drake.

John Martyn, we'll miss ye. Teach those folks in the Big band up there a new note.

John Martyn
1948-2009
RIP

I have officially shut down the Best of 2008 Poll emailing. We were still getting emails with selections but we have had all of January to get them in. Now I have to do the fun job of compiling the selections. I should have this up by next Monday. Otherwise, I do have a few topics of discussion. Update: Not now, I don't.

The bummer here today is that I am sick, sick, sick. Which means I'm giving you just enough to make it worth your click today. I apologize for that but I just got thrown a snaowball that knocked my head off. And that's on top of the 85% healed cold that has stubbornly hung around for a month. In any case, I saw the Springsteen Half-Time show of the SuperBowl and can say that after the Vegas-like, scripted ruination (terrible use of microphone stand as phallus; so not like Bruce) of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," Bruce hit the following songs way out of the park with rousing versions of "Born to Run," the so-so "Working on a Dream," and the excellent "Glory Days." There was an American-like feel to the whole event. Bruce can still rock the house although I'm concerned that he'll break something with his more athletic moves like the slide toward the camera. Thanks Bruce for a worthy set.

I'll return on Wednesday, hopefully better, with a more complete set of TAPStuff. See you then. Again. I apologize hugely!

For the long promised Albums You MUST Hear Before You Die! list (#35), I will be posting a letter each post until exhausted (there were only 17 21 25 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 emails).  Some were only a few titles, some only one.  But there were more than a few that were massive and a few extended, well-detailed lists.  I’ll post them as I received them.  For today's post, Joey D says that one shines above all.

STOOGES - Fun House. All other LPs pale in comparison.

We're going to keep the Best Album of ALL Time up for a long while as we continually update it. But I'll say this: The Beatles took the lead with not only The White Album but also the fact that they have been selected with two albums. Like The Albums You MUST Hear Before You Die! run, which does not show signs of stopping (I'm still getting emails, which I have no problem with and encourage - Send Them In), I'm hoping that this new thing stays strong. Send in your selection (one only, please) for the album that is the ruler of all.

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.

Downtown Records will release an LP version and a CD version of Fist of God by MSTRKRFT on March 17.  This is a Rock title.

Rhino Records will issue a Various Artists DVD called Last Days of the Fillmore, scheduling the video for April 7.

Legacy Records will be releasing a few vinyl LPs for Miles Davis that includes the landmark (and glorious) Bitches Brew, Nefertiti, In a Silent Way, and Sketches of Spain. by Miles Davis.  The albums, Bitches Brew, originally released in 1969, In a Silent Way (1969), Nefertiti (1967), and Sketches of Spain, originally released in 1959, will re-release on April 14.  Guess who is getting these?  Yep, me!!

Capitol Records will reissue OK Computer, Pablo Honey, as well as The Bends in 3-disc Collector’s Editions (2CD/1DVD) on March 24.  These Radiohead albums are essentials and these definitive versions of bonus tracks and promo videos fulfill a need for completeness.

Wounded Bird Records, a bare-bones reissue house will reissue three Rex Smith albums (Rex; Where Do We Go From Here; Forever).  You can snag these classics on March 17, possibly earlier by going direct through Wounded Bird.  They will also release Twitch by Aldo Nova on the same date.  There is also Live in Cleveland by Derringer that will be available on the same date.

429 Records will release a new Steve Forbert album called The Place and The Time.  The new album will be released on March 31.  I STILL adore his Alive on Arrival (1978). 429 Records will also release an exciting new release for Toni Childs (an artist I have adored in the past) called Keep the Faith. It is expected in April. Click on the album covers for listening parties.

Surfdog Records will release a Limited vinyl LP Edition of Tangled Tales (following the CD release – March 10) by Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks.  The LP version arrives on March 24.

Legacy will release a collection of 17 vintage RCA sides from Willie Nelson called Naked Willie.  Like Let It Be – Naked where McCartney removed the ‘noise’ of the Spector production, these Willie Nelson productions have been remixed to remove the same level of ‘noise and distractions’ leaving behind a strong but different track.  Naked Willie is planned for March 17.

For 10 bucks, and likely lower, Sony’s Special Products division is releasing a Box (slip-case) that will have three classic Ted Nugent titles that include Free For All; Scream Dream; and Weekend Warriors.  This is planned for March 31.  They’ll do the same for Kenny Loggins with Celebrate Me Home; Leap of Faith; and Outside From the Redwoods, same date.

Roadrunner Records will reissue Slow, Deep, and Hard (1991) from Type O Negative on March 24.

These four lads have put out music before, and so they're no absolute strangers to all of this. But this new album, released in December, is a pretty good album. Zelazowa is the name of the band and their new album is 13 excellent tracks called Elephants on a Mousehunt. I hope that you, at least, check them out on their MySpace page (link included in review).

This is a Soundtrack of collected remixes of Various Artists and their songs serve the ambience of the film well. With remixes assembled by NIN's Danny Lohner, this compilation is sure to be an interest to its audience. Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans is not only a decent film in the trilogy (thus far), but the music is apt as well.