We have a few pieces of news, enough to have a post but nothing really extraordinarily new.  In fact, much of what I have posted, with a few new exceptions, has been on TAP pages in the not too distant past.  I plan to have a kind of quiet weekend though.  I bought a $20 cigar (LOVE those Padron cigars) to enjoy at some point in the weekend.  Normally, I smoke a cheaper cigar (and trust me, I rarely smoke cigars.  I’ve had two since July of 2008).  But, when the mood strikes, I pick one up.  The mood struck last week and so I went to the vendor I utilize at the OC Fairgrounds Swap Meet and picked up a pair of really fantastic Padron, valued at $22 each.  I know what you’re thinking.  I think the same thing.

One day last year, the vendor recommended one of these and so, taking him at his word, I bought one.  When I lit it up, I was amazed at the flavour of the cigar.  The price definitely reveals the quality of the cigar.  It has hints of dark chocolate and coffee, mixed with the grand blend of Nicaraguan tobacco that is just stunning.  If any of you are one in a while cigar smokers and want to try something extraordinary, find a Padron to smoke.  If you really want a treat, go for the pricier, but more limited edition smokes.  Add to that a Fat Tire Belgium Ale (the draft of this beer is best but bottles are good as well) and the treat is something close to a great evening.  This is especially true if you have a friend or two to share it with.  All of that riotous conversation (none of us agree on anything – politics, religion, music, movies) just fuels the evening and you feel just how cool life can be.  But that’s the thrill of it al…when we share opinions with each other even as we disagree vehemently with each other.  When the discussion is over, the camaraderie remains and we realize while the world is a super place.  We all have our personal beliefs, can talk about them without anger, and walk away with a warm feeling that friendship has trumped disagreements.  Heaven!

This is exactly how I feel when I converse with many of you via email. Sharing musical likes/dislikes, and connecting in this world of humanity. I call all of you my friends.

I hope that all of you have a great weekend or, if you have to work, a great set of days off when you do get them.  If you’re in the mood for a cigar, or a great beer, try out a Padron, and/or a Fat Tire ale.  We’ll see you again on Monday with some more stuff…we hope!

We have several things to kick-off the New Year with. The first is our Annual Reader's Choice 'Best of 20xx' picks. In this case, you'll be picking the Best of 2008. i always look forward to these picks because it gives me a fast way to check up on things that I have missed over the year. I have always made new gains to my library with the arrival of these lists and I'm sure to do so again. You guys know the rules by now. Just send a list of the Best that graced our players over the course of 2008. We'll run this through January and then post results in February. Send them here at The Best Albums of 2008.

In addition, and to start the New Year Out, we have several more things before moving on. The first is a new band introduction, found below in the reviews section. They are called The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Be sure to scroll down for that. the second is that we have (tried) to launch a Facebook set of pages. We have a button for you to click on and befriend us and we hope that you will. We have a personal TAP page (because Facebook insists). And we also have a Business page and a Group page. I know...complicated. And it is. But we'll figure which to use in the long run but until then, check them all out. They are a bit different in content. I do suspect that it will be the personal page that you'll want to frequent most often as it easily leads to both of the other pages. I'm still trying to make one singular page the most impactful but haven't figured how to do it yet. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. There's nothing worse than being a 'noob' trying to produce a bit of usefulness...and not succeeding very well at it. There are some new things that we can do with it. For example, there is plenty of room there to discuss in an open forum. For those that wanted this to happen, here's an opportunity to guage it. In addition, there may als obe extra content there, capsule-like reviews, etc. This is an experiment to see what happens. You might have to sign up to check us out...I don't know. Forgive any problems that might arise from this but we'll get it figured out somehow.

For the long promised Albums You MUST Hear Before You Die! list (#32), 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, there are a matter-of-fact five selections..

GOV'T MULE - "DOSE"

RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW - "RISING"

THE WHO - "LIVE AT LEEDS" [DELUXE VERSION]

BLACK CROWES - "THE SOUTHERN HARMONY AND MUSICAL COMPANION"

TED NUGENT - "TED NUGENT"

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.

Rounder Records has a new JJ Cale album on the calendar for February 24.  The new album is called Roll On and has a new track in it with Eric Clapton called “Roll On.”  We’re looking forward to this one cuz we love JJ Cale ‘round here.

Varese Sarabande and their Fuel imprint will release a collection of 21 performances by Charlie Christian, a pioneering guitar player that has influenced guitarists like Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai, even George Benson.  If that sounds interesting, then this one becomes available on February 24.

Stax Records is delivering a magnificent reissue of Black Moses by Isaac Hayes.  Originally released by Stax in 1971 as a double LP set, this album set standards.  Stax revisits the landmark album with re-mastered digital sound, and restored LP art packaging.  In addition to this, there are expanded liner notes, more photos, and 14 great Hayes classics over 2CDs.  This is a must have title over at TAP.  I’ll be picking this one up on release day.

Varese Sarabande and their imprint, Fuel, will release a 2CD collection of Lightnin’ Hopkins tracks called Blues From Dowling Street.  Hopkins’ prolific recording left behind many great tracks and this album assembles a few.  As with the Charlie Christian release (mentioned above), the pricing is at a low price-set.  This is another one that I have my eyes out for.  It is scheduled for February 24.

Don’t forget that Smash Hits by Jimi Hendrix Experience is being reissued in an Eco-Pak set on February 17.

Lost Highway Records is releasing a new Morrissey title called Years of Refusal.  The 12-track album is scheduled for February 17 and will also be made available in a CD/DVD Deluxe Edition that will ship with videos, live performances, and an interview with Russell Brand.

The third album from Canadian musician, Sam Roberts, is scheduled for release on February 17.  The new album will be called Love at the End of the World and is arriving via Zoe Records, a Rounder imprint label.

Do not forget that Abkco Records is releasing The Poet I and The Poet II by Bobby Womack and putting them on a single disc.  This release is expected on February 17.

Concord Records will release a 3CD Box of Indiana Jones soundtracks that include Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Temple of Doom, and The Last Crusade.  The music was scored by John Williams.  Each film score disc will contain bonus previously unreleased music, all re-mastered, along with expanded booklets.  This set is planned for release on February 17.

Rhino is re-releasing Talking Heads ’77 from Talking Heads in LP format on March 31.  Also coming on LP is Walk Among US by The Misfits.  It is planned or March 24.

Need more vinyl?  Ok.  Rhino is re-releasing some Black Sabbath titles on LP, scheduling for February 24.  The four LP titles include: Mob Rules, Dehumanizer, Heaven & Hell, and a 2LP Live Evil.

Watch for collectible coloured vinyl LP for Paramore (All We Know is Falling – Green Vinyl); Cobra Starship (Kiss my Sass – Purple  Vinyl); and The Cab (Whisper War – Blue Vinyl).  These titles will be available on February 10.

Concord Jazz has a title coming called Sinatra at the Meadowlands, from Frank Sinatra.  This title is planned for May 5.

Interestingly, Decca USA will reissued a Marianne Faithfull album in LP form.  The album, Easy Come, Easy Go, is planned for March 3.  

Stryper has a new album coming called Murder by Pride, arriving in the Spring of ’09.  More later as we get it.  It arrives on Big3 Records.

Miles Davis created one of the most revered Jazz albums ever with his wonderful Kind of Blue. Last year, Legacy released a grand collection surrounding this album in preparation for the album's 50th Anniversary. This pared back Legacy Edition is for those that found last year's set too pricey but still wanted the collection of music. Here you go, fans.

Late of the Pier is a UK band, whose debut release, Fantasy Black Channel is a strong selection for one of the Best of 2008. Now, as of January 13, the album is available in the US with two bonus tracks.