We join with many who have been saddened by the passing of Jazz saxophonist, Sam Butera on Wednesday, June 3. He worked historically with Louis Prima and has left behind a wealth of musical treasures. Retired since 2004, his death comes too soon afterwards, but he provided a lifetime of music for the enjoyment of those that loved not only Louis Prima but also Butera's work with Prima. He takes his special sax to the Great Band at the age of 81.

Sam Butera
1927-2009
RIP

I've gone and visited Amoeba (in LA) this weekend. And as usual, I found some good music. My major pickup was the RhinoVinyl reissue of A Nod is As Good As a Wink...To a Blind Horse by Faces that was recently released by Rhino Records. A little pricey at $23 but after hearing it, it was worth it. Of course, I won't be regularly spending that kind of money for LPs, even if I WANT them but there are those that I must have. My latest hobby is to attempt a decent recreation of my past LP collection, which was very sizeable.

I also picked up a decent copy of Firefall's S/T debut (Atlantic), Nightout by Ellen Foley (Epic), an excellent Souvenirs by Dan Fogelberg (Full Moon/Epic), Dog Eat Dog from Joni Mitchell (Geffen), and a SEALED copy of the Casablanca debut for Angel, the 1975 S/T of the Guiffria-formed band. When I'm in SF next week, I plan to be at Amoeba at Haight, and hopefully snag a larger collection to bring back home.

Yeah, it's bad. But what's a music fan to do?

Wednesday, we'll be posting the results of the Alice Cooper Poll. Overall, we received only a small grouping but it will be interesting to see what even a small collection of fans have to say. I'll also introduce the label Poll, which I'm sure will be under-voted as well...but we'll see. But until Wednesday, you still have a voice in the Alice Cooper Poll, selecting the best career album.

We have two reviews for you that include The Color of Sunshine by Lawrence Blatt (a Windham Hill-like title produced by Wiliam Ackerman), and the good Original Motion Picture Score for Howard's film, Angels & Demons, which was composed by Hans Zimmer.

We have another round (another BIG round) of Great Album Covers, a feature you're all enjoying judging by your emails.  There are plenty more coming up, trust me.  And if you have your own and haven't yet submitted them, by all means do so at the mail link.  You have to have at least one in mind!

Rhino Records has a new DVD (Fillmore: The Last Days) that was just released on June 2. We're kinda keen on this music period and so we really enjoy throwing this trailer in your path of this new DVD. The DVD is a Various Artists collection of classic bands (Santana/Jefferson Airplane/Grateful Dead/Hot Tuna/Quicksilver/more...) performing at the closing periods of The popular Fillmore. Just click on the DVD cover for the trailer and, if you want a copy, throw a bit of support by using the Amazon link to get your copy.

We'll see you on Wednesday for the final post until June 24.

We have a new set of album covers from our recently launched Great Album Covers Poll. You can still vote for your favourites here and get them posted so that the rest of us can enjoy them. Here's the next two email lists:

"("Journey", "Iron Maiden", and "Boston" always consistently had great  classic album covers by great artists! )"  - Jeff M.

• Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
• Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin (I)
• Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
• Boston - Boston
• Nirvana - Nevermind
• Journey - Escape
• Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack
• Eagles - Hotel California
• Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive
• Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy
• The Police - Synchronicity
• Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA
• Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
• Heart - Dreamboat Annie
• U2 - The Joshua Tree
• Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast
• Jackson Browne - Running on Empty
• Prince - Purple Rain
• Madonna - Like a Virgin
• The Jayhawks - Hollywood Town Hall
• Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I Might See
• Jimmy Buffett - Coconut Telegraph
• Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual
• R.E.M. - Murmur
• Steely Dan - AJA
• Supertramp - Breakfast in America
• Electric Light Orchestra - Out of the Blue

"Wild Cherry - Makes a statement without saying a word.
Rhinoceros - an obscure one from Elektra Records and quite a work of art." - David B.

• Wild Cherry  – Wild Cherry
  
• Rhinoceros - Rhinoceros

The news is incredibly slow. But we'll give you this much:

On August 16, Rhino Records will help celebrate the spirit of the 40th anniversary of Woodstock by assembling a 77-song, 6CD Box called Woodstock - 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur's Farm. What makes this particular set stand out is the inclusion of 38 unreleased performance tracks. So you tell me. Being a Woodstock fan, I'm looking forward to this Various Artists Box set.

Epic Records will release the new Matisyahu album called Light on August 25.

We picked this piece of news from Pause and Play. On August 10, you can pick up a reissue of Rock 'n Roll Survivors from the all-girl band, Fanny.

Cirrha Niva will release their new Progressive Metal album on September 3 called For Moments Never Done. It is being released by The End Records in US and Canada, and Benelux elsewhere. yoiu can preorder the album at the band's site. You can hear them at their MySpace page.

Island Records will release Live on the BBC from Anthrax, scheduling for August 18.

Island Records also plans a John Mellencamp CD for October called On the Rural Route 7609.

Fantasy Records will release a new Jessy J album called True Love, planning for release on August 4.

Varese Sarabande will release a Various Artists collection celebration of Woodstock's upcoming 40th Anniversary calling it Heroes of Woodstock: 40th Anniversary Celebration. It is planned for July 28.

Anyone who has played any of Ensemble Studios' immensely popular Halo games will likely note that the expansive music, which elevates the play factor, is no different than the soundtracks attached to film.  They are there to enhance the experience and to lead you through a variety of anticipated experiences, often memorably.  The Halo Wars soundtrack, so effectively scored by Stephen Rippy, is a 2-disc collection that includes not only the 25 tracks of in-game music that provide the majestic sounds (and yes, Rippy's pieces are often majestic) but it also adds a bonus DVD to the package for more value. ****

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.