I apologize but it seems that Mikayla has distracted me to great length.  When I should be developing an angle to write something interesting, I seem to get side-tracked by her images springing up in my mind.  Those kids.  Hopefully on Friday, we have a decent strand of thought going on for you. 

I’m still quite taken with the advent of smart phones though they have yet to develop further.  Apple’s recent introduction of the upcoming iPhone OS (3.0) has left a lot to be desired for the phone’s evolution.  It’s due for the summer but after hearing of the offerings (still no Flash support, which is VERY important for its growth), I’m in no hurry to get the update.  Apple should take extreme care because a company like Microsoft could sweep in with kick-ass capabilities superior to that of the iPhone and it would be a loss to Apple that they might not survive.

To have cell phones become the new computer with all manner of accessibility is a very important trend that is developing.  Once the battery issues are taken care of, the sky is the limit on these things with software development the leading edge.  Who’s going to win that contest, it’s anybody’s guess.  Apple controls the market…for now.  But imagine a world where you can listen to your music without storage issues, watch video/film to your streaming contentment, and do any number of advantageous things like banking, and other important things, all with a single, hand-held device.  It’s coming.  And I keep looking over the hills for the signs of its arrival.  Apple better innovate further or its going to fall by the wayside because their own arrogance.  They have a lovely interface, even if it is a pop-culture interface.  Its simplicity will be the standard because of its generic accessibility.  Apple soon will not be able to defend that any more than Coca-Cola can keep other manufacturers from making a cola.

Three reviews for you today, two from Mark Squirek with the promised America set called Live in Concert - Wildwood Springs, and Gerry Beckley's Happy Hour from one member of America - Gerry Beckely, PLUS one from Douglas Bice, who reviews the 2CD 'best of' for Prog Rock band, Parallel or Ninety Degrees (Po90) called A Can of Worms - The Best of Po90: 1996-2001.

We're always talking about the best of this and the best of that. Why not a 'worst of' selection? It can be a song or it be an album. But I KNOW that someone has one or a hundred. For the purpose of this Poll, let's keep it at one reviled album or song. We'll run it through the week and post results of the awful mess on Monday, March 30. Send 'em at this link.The Poll for the worst is pretty much a fizzled Poll with only three entries.  Who likes negativism anyway?  I sure don’t.

You'll note that we have removed the Twitter widget (too big). But you'll also note that we have replaced it with a smaller button that will not only allow you to navigate to our Twitter page, but also to retweet it if you find it important.But the BEST thing that you can do is to join Twitter and get some instant news as we get it, some of which might never make it to this page. There might even be a contest or two on that distribution method. I encourage you to join it. Hell, there are lots of fun Twitter channels that are great to follow. Trust me on this.

Finally, Rhino is releasing the new Queensrÿche album, American Soldier, on March 31. They have provided us with a listening party links in both Quicktime and Windows Media for you to listen to. The party streams the last six tracks of the album in entirety. Enjoy the music.

-- Listening Party--

Quicktime
Windows Media

--Bonus Video--

If I Were King

See you on Friday with more stuff.

Last month, we retired our Albums You MUST Hear Before You Die! I had lost two emails and could not locate them for the life of me. Last week, several of our lost emails came back to us via the authors and so we're posting their selections now. This is #42! It comes from Tim, who provides a year by year assessment of that what he considers one of that year's best. We have two more lists after this one.

1990    The La's           The La's           One of my all-time favorites due to the way the singer bends words around.

1990    The Vulgar Boatmen     You & Your Sister       Sometimes said to be a combination of Buddy Holly and The Velvet Underground; whatever it is, it's laid back and damned fine.

1992    The Jayhawks   Hollywood Town Hall   I like this group better than the Eagles, better songs and harmonies

1993    Belly     Star      Great Harmonies and Songwriting - dark, thrilling, and rocking

1994    Weezer            Weezer (blue album)     Arena rock 90's style - funny and heavy on the guitar

1994    Blur      Parklife     Sometimes compared to The Kinks, but don't expect music-hall infatuation, think infatuation with 30 years of pop music

1994    Manic Street Preachers     The Holy Bible     Glam, but smarter than the 70s

1995    Supergrass       I Should Coco      Lotta 70s influences (Bowie, Elton - not as glam as the Manics)

1995    Pulp     Different Class      Roxy Music-esque from the other side of the tracks

1995    Radiohead        The Bends        Arena rock 90's brit-style

1995    The Smashing Pumpkins           Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness  Sabbath without the occult

1996    Beck    Odelay     Kitchen sink of influences - inventive /trendy & engaging

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.

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release two Blu-ray DVD (DB) titles in May.  Those are Live in Rio from Diana Krall, available on May 26, and Live at Montreux 2008 from Return to Forever, coming on May 12.  The label also plans for the release of the same titles on DVD, on the respective dates that include their higher quality counterparts.

Since we’re looking at DVDs, Interscope plans the April 28 standard DVD release of Not Alone – River Cuomo and Friends by River Cuomo.  The label will also release the CD version of this work on the same date.

Interscope is scheduling June 9 as the release date for the currently untitled project from Black Eyed Peas.  An LP version is planned for the same date.

Eagle Rock Entertainment will unleash the catalogue of Black Label Society on May 12 with the release of 1919 Eternal; Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live; Hangover Music, Volume VI; Kings of Damnation: Era 1998-2004; Mafia; Sonic Brew; Stronger Than Death; and The Blessed Hellride.

Concord Records will release the Country sounds of Ray Charles on Modern Sounds in Country and Western, Volumes 1 & 2.  They plan this release for June 2.

Fantasy Records will reissue Coltrane from John Coltrane on June 2.  Other expected Jazz reissues from the label include The New Miles Davis Quintet by Miles Davis, Reel Life by Sonny Rollins, and At the Five Spot, Volume 2 from Eric Dolphy and Booker Little.  Same dates.

Here’s a title to mark your calendar with.  Rounder Records will release My Dusty Road by Woody Guthrie, planning for a date of August 25. I promise to remind!

Mercury has a Rock title coming from Parachute called Losing Sleep.  This album is slated for May 5.

Interscope plans a Rock title from Rasmus called Black Gold, which will release on June 9.

Watch for a collection of hits for Barry White called Number 1’s, scheduled by Hip-O Records on May 5.

Eagle Rock Entertainment has an album coming from Zakk Wylde called Book of Shadows.  It has been slated for May 12.

Allow me to make clarifications to the upcoming Rolling Stones reissues that include Black and Blue; It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll; Goat’s Head Soup; Sticky Fingers; Emotional Rescue; Tattoo You; and Undercover.  Those are planned as DD (Digital Download) on April 28, with the exception of Emotional Rescue/Tattoo You/Undercover, which will reissue as DD on June 2.  The CD versions will be made available on June 9 and cover (at this last writing; and yes, I’m waiting for the dust to settle just like you – and it will) Emotional Rescue; Tattoo You; and Undercover.  Clarifications will be coming soon.

Varese Sarabande Records will release a ‘best of’ for The Amazing Rhythm Aces (“Third Rate Romance” - thanks for the corrective action, guys! Y'all know who you are!) called Their Very Best.  It is scheduled for May 12.

The music of America has been a sweet spot in the musical tastes of many including Top40 aficionados, and hard core album fans. With their flair for a sound that crossed over so many musical borders, it is well documented in this Live album, Wildwood Springs.

Gerry Beckley is one part of the legendary folk-rock band, America. In this solo effort, he underscores in song what we all knew about his ability to craft great tunes. Gerry Beckley's Happy Hour is an album for your collection, especially if you're enamored of America.