No sooner had we learned of the death of Farrah Fawcett, we also learned of the demise of Seeds musician, Sky Saxon.  After that, it wasn't a few hours before the news that Michael Jackson was rushed to UCLA Medical after the LAFD responded to a call at his rented residence.  The news was that Jackson was not breathing before being administered CPR.  Reports had stated that Jackson's father noted that Michael was in “really bad shape” and “not doing well.”  Soon after the report arrived that The King of Pop had died.

Farrah Fawcett fit into the Pop culture of the '70s in her role as one of Charlie's Angels.  Soon, her 'girl next door' image adorned walls to adoring boys and wishful girls.  She permeated the period with her wholesome beauty and never once strayed far from the world's view of her.  When she contracted cancer, her toughness took over while she bravely fought the disease that took her life.  She will be missed.

Farrah Fawcett
1947-2009

Sky Saxon, who formed The Seeds in the late '60s, garnering a hit with their most notable song, "Pushin' Too Hard," was an essential of the band. While the band is largely unknown outside the scope of the previously mentioned song for most people, they did have several other minor hits ("Mr Farmer." "Can't Seem to Make You Mine"). Sky Saxon died from unknown causes, although cause of death is suspected to be internal infection. His contributions to Rock are solid and his legacy intact. Like others before him, we will miss him. He now attaches to a challenging band that contain some of the greatest, most influential members.

Sky Saxon
? - 2009

However, neither of the previous two slotted into Pop culture as deeply as Michael Jackson. He began a Pop career as part of the highly successful Jackson Five R&B Motown sensation that gave us a string of memorable TOP40 songs as well as a collection of excellent albums, all forever unique. Beginning a solo career with "Got to be There", and a well-known contribution to a film soundtrack "Ben," the self-awarded King of Pop eventually churned out more albums and songs including the largest seller in album history, Thriller. Michael Jackson had been sidetracked over the largest part of the decade and hasn't left anything to close off a rich career. Regardless, his place in history is well secured with a legacy as large as life. He will add new flair to the Great Band!

Michael Jackson
1958-2009

This is the last of the Label Logo designs that were sent in. To be fair, there were others but attempts to find representations were mostly futile. Bummer. They were nice too. Most of the 'can't finds' were boutique label designs like the Mechanical Handshake seen below for the Wish You Were Here album by Pink Floyd. It was nice to walk down this memory lane. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did. Monday, we get back to the Great Album Covers because there are still plenty of those.

We'll see you again on Monday with promised reviews and stuff. Enjoy your weekend! But before I go, I have to say just how much I LOVE Heartless Bastards. I have an introduction feature at the bottom of this page that you owe it to yourself to check out. Every listen brings me closer to the band. And I can't get too much done because of the listens that are adding up. Their latest album (The Mountain) is a super effort, an easy 4 1/2-star effort. If you need standout tracks then go with "Out at Sea," "The Mountain," "Early in the Morning," and "Be So Happy." But start with "The Mountain." If that doesn't grab you, then I don't know. But the entire album is exemplary. Vocalist/Guitarist Erika Wennerstrom is one helluva vocal talent!

The upcoming June 30 date for the upcoming Rod Stewart Limited Edition 2CD expanded re-masters is near.  These titles include Atlantic Crossing, and A Night on the Town.  These are pivotal Stewart recordings as they are the two pieces in his career that transition from his folk/rock solo beginnings to his hits-laden TOP 40 period after A Night on the Town.  Additionally, they are the break-off pieces that culminate in his departure from Faces. For those that don't need the extra material, these re-masters will be available as standard single disc packages on August 18. These will add in a few bonus tracks each album.

There are two Willie Nelson titles coming to LP on August 18.  Those are Shotgun Willie, and Phases and Stages.

Hot Mess from Cobra Starship will be released on August 11.

Mark Knopfler will have his next album released on September 14 (or thereabouts). the album is called Get Lucky. Thanks to Tim I. for the heads-up.

Rhino Records will reissue four classic titles from The Smiths as 180g vinyl LP on August 11. The titles are The Smiths; Meat is Murder; The Queen is Dead; and Strangeways, Here We Come.

Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace and Music will reappear over 5LPs on August 18.  There will be included a Photo Book.  This Various Artists album is one of the great Festival recordings that are coming out to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this event.  Not only do we now have a Blu-ray version of the film, but Rhino is going to release a 6CD Box called Woodstock – 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur's Farm, which will contain so many unreleased performances from the Festival that I'm dreaming of it on a consistent basis.  It is scheduled for August 18.  If you live in Orange County. CA, The Village Theatre (Regency) will be projecting the Director's Cut on August 12.  Should be great fun!

Reprise Records will be releasing a Various Artists collection on August 18 called The Crunk Recordings: Hits From the Pioneers and Players of Crunk.

Sanctuary Records has a few Digital titles coming that include Boogaloo by Nazareth, due July 7, as well as Dust to Dust (S/T).  Sanctuary will also release a Digital version of Visions by Stratovarius, which arrives on July 28.

Valory Records will released an Enhanced CD of Keep on Loving You by Reba McEntire, planning for August 18.  There will also be a Digital release of the album, same date.

Varese Sarabande will release Carmen Appice's Guitar Zeus from Carmen Appice scheduling for August 18.

Def Jam will release In Love & War by Amerie on September 8.

Mariah Carey fans already know this but just in case you don't – and you want to, Island Records will release her next album called Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel on August 25.

Shout! Factory will release a Various Artists tribute set called Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy (Miracle Legion) on September 29.  This set will feature covers by Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe, The National, Dinosaur Jr, Ben Kweller, Juliana Hatfield, and others, 21 recordings altogether.

Decca Records will release a S/T Rock title from Ladyhawke on September 8.

Mercury Records will release a Rock title from Noisettes called Wild Young Hearts on September 22.

Mesa Blue Moon will release a new Christopher O'Riley album on August 18 called Out of My Hands.

Rounder Records will reissue three Ween titles on August 11 that include The Pod (1991), Pure Guava (1992), and a Live collection, Paintin' The Town Brown: Ween Live 1990-1998 (1999).

The instrumental tunes found on this album has a basis in the Lakota Indian legend.  As with most ambient-styled compositions, the music is expectably soothing using a Native American flute, itself an intended instrument of peace and comfort.  The whole of the album flows beautifully as it moves through the 12 tracks presented.  “Grandfather” introduces an Indian chant to accompany the music and it is fantastic.  I have to admit to being entranced by the music on this album.  There is a eerie sense of comfort that is achieved when you lose yourself within the music – and it's not hard to do.  I love this album and its uses of multiple styles of flutes.  Having heard this album, I've become a DeMaria fan. ****

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.