We've experienced three deaths over the last few days that are, if not completely musically related, then at the very least, represent a time when Rock and the Powers That Be met head to head.  That particular  departure is Robert McNamara, who led the nation into a long, drawn out, and violent war with Vietnam.  Vietnam was met with incredible resistance by the youth of America (and the world for all of that), expressed in violence, unrest, rioting, and most of all, the voice of Rock decrying the war in every aspect.  Rock music gained footing as it lyrically addressed the ills of that time of change (largely the '60s, which led into the early '70s).  Smack dab in the middle of that was Robert McNamara, whose position of Secretary of Defense under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, led America into the depths of  what was always considered an unnecessary war that left tens of thousands of American troops needlessly dead.  After his departure, and left with time to reflect, McNamara eventually came to address his involvement in the decade-long war as one of a haunting regret.  He reviewed this assessed war as one of immoral fabric and publicly stated as much in a memoir (In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam), and a video documentary (The Fog of War).  I have read and seen both having grown up during this period of unrest.  The times were horrifying even to a young child such as myself, who paid unusual attention to the events that unfolded.  McNamara's name and face arose at every corner.  We note his passing in the hopes that the spectre of his war can begin to evaporate.  Robert McNamara died at home at the age of 93.  May his soul find peace.

Robert McNamara
1916-2009
RIP

Allen Klein, who governed the business side for The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles, and who helmed Abkco Records (Allen and Betty Klein COmpany), has died after a protracted bout with Alzheimer's.  He was 77 years old.  Within the span of his life, he involved himself in the affairs of many of Rock's famous figures, including the establishment of the infamous Concert for Bangladesh, which was remembered not only for its depth of talent, but also for its entanglement with the government of Bangladesh, delaying aid when it was needed most.  Amongst some of the bands associated with Klein and Abkco were The Animals, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, and notable others.

Allen Klein
1931-2009
RIP

Drake Levin was not the guitarist for Paul Revere and the Raiders for too long, but he was the guitar on many of the band's memorable songs, including “Hungry,” "Peace of Mind," "Good Thing," “Kicks,” and “Just Like Me.”  His four-year tenure with the band is incorporated in perhaps much of the band's best work, and so he becomes as notable as a member of the band than anyone else can be.  His battle with cancer ended on Saturday, July 4th, thus adding a bit of colour to his involvement with the band that allowed him to give us some musical history.  Like all that has passed before, he takes a trained guitar to the Great Band, improving that unit yet again.  And like all before him, he will be missed.

Drake Levin
1946-2009
RIP

I have a review for you that include the just released 2CD The Woodstock Experience series that currently encompass sets by Santana, Janis Joplin, Sly & The Family Stone, Jefferson Airplane, and Johnny Winter.  My review centers on the entire series by way of the latter two bands (JA/Johnny Winter).  Coming up are reviews for Dan Pound's latest ambient offering, Living Planet, and the 24k Gold, Hoffman-mastered reissue of Heartbeat City by The Cars, which is a numbered, Limited Edition CD from Blonstein's Audio Fidelity label.  We have other reviews in line as well.

As for the Great Album Covers, we'll be back with that on Friday.

Columbia Records will release a DVD featuring the entire show from one of Neil Diamond's 4-night stand shows at Madison Square Garden on his recent tour. The DVD will be called Hot August Night: NYC. An hour-long version of the show will be aired on CBS, August 14 (8-9p, PT/ET). The DVD will be released on August 14.

Rounder Records will release four Woody Guthrie titles, all planned for August 25 (Way to go, Rounder). The Expected titles are Woody the Agitator; Woody, Cisco & Sonny; Woody's Greatest Hits; and Woody's Roots. Here's a look at the great, GREAT packaging. Yep, we're looking forward to these gems (thanks to Rounder for the photos):

Elektra Records will reissue six Doors titles on LP on September 15. The titles to be reissued are: Waiting For the Sun; Soft Parade; Strange Days; The Doors; Morrison Hotel; and LA Woman. I recently read an article detailing the upward tick of LP sales as opposed to the declining CD sales. I find this absolutely refreshing. Of course, vinyl will not be the saviour element for the labels, but the swell of LP sales make me feel very nostalgic, almost like I slipped back in time...a little. Myself, I'm having a blast bringing back to life my remembered LP collection. I'm numbering about 250 LPs at the moment.

Reprise Records will reissue the S/T Neil Young album on HQ 200g vinyl, planning for a release date of August 25. The album is to be re-mastered.

The celebrated Talking Heads film, Stop Making Sense (Jonathan Demme) will be making it's way to Blu-ray DVD on October 13.

The Unforgettable Fire by U2 will get its due by Interscope Records, coming out on a beefed up 25th Anniversary re-mastered and expanded set.

Manhattan Records will release a new album by Rosanne Cash called The List on October 6. The album is a selection of covers recorded by Rosanne based on a list that Johnny Cash gave her because he feared that she had forsaken Country music for The Beatles. The track listing is as follows: 

1. “Miss the Mississippi and You”

2. “Motherless Children”

3. “ Sea of Heartbreak ” (w/ Bruce Springsteen)

4. “Take These Chains From My Heart”

5. “I’m Movin' On”

6. “She’s Got You”

7. “Heartaches by the Number” (w/ Elvis Costello)

8. “500 Miles”

9. “Long Black Veil” (w/ Jeff Tweedy)

10. “Silver Wings” (w/ Rufus Wainwright)

11. “Girl From the North Country ”

12. “Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow”

Slayer will release their new album, to be called World Painted Blood, sometime late summer.

Lisa Germano will be releasing her new album called Magic Neighbor sometime in mid-September.

Atlantic Records will release two versions of Awake, the album by Skillet. It will be released in the standard CD version as well as a Deluxe Version with bonus tracks. Slated for release on August 25.

Warner Brothers will release a vinyl LP version of Louder Now by Taking Back Sunday. It is planned on August 25.

Verve Forecast releases The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again by John Fogerty on September 1. The vinyl LP version of this title arrives earlier at August 25.

Universal Motown plan two Michael Jackson sets that include The Definitive Collection, and The Stripped Mixes. The Definitive Collection is slated for August 25, while The Stripped Mixes is planned for July 28.

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

This Austin, TX band by way of Dayton OH, has released their third album on Fat Possum Records in January of this year. Named The Mountain, it contains an exhilarating blend of styles to make this one of the more exciting albums of the year. We highly recommend you try Heartless Bastards out by sampling music at their MySpace page.