We're deeply saddened by the loss of one of our musical treasures. On March 29, Maurice Jarre passed away after a bout with cancer. He was 84. During that period of life, he produced some enduring musical works with film that include the score for many memorable films. The most memorable of them is the soundtrack to one of the great films of all time, David Lean's magnificent Lawrence of Arabia. The music he wrote for that film was soaring and highly effectual, inseparable from the film in every way. Jarre also composed important scores for A Passage to India, Dr Zhivago, Dead Poets Society, Lion of the Desert, Ryan's Daughter, The Man Who Would be King, Witness, the frightening Jacob's Ladder, television's Shogun, and even Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and Enemy Mine, where he captured the nuance of each film completely. There are a multitude of others as Maurice Jarre was quite an extraordinary composer, a master. We will miss his style. He'll bring an order to that Big Band.

Maurice Jarre
1924-2009
RIP

As a kind of mouthwash, we're going to introduce a new 'Best of Band' Poll. At least, I know you like these Polls. The reality is, we tend to stray away from negativity on this site because, like it is for us, there's no room in your life for the bad stuff. Since we so rarely mention bad music, it is safe to assume we like, even love, the music that we review. And we don't do it as a matter of putting something up for content, we do it to introduce you to something we think you might like.

We don't just put stuff up we strongly favour ourselves. If we hear it fresh and we like it, we bring it to your attention. The old school method of word of mouth.

Our new Band Poll is going to be Deep Purple. They have several Mark versions of the band making it interesting to pit versions up against each other. My brother is a HUGE Deep Purple fan but LOVED Bolin over Blackmore. I already know which album he'll choose. So, this one should be quite interesting to see which gets favourite album. Machine Head? Good Vegas pick, but don't bet too heavily. Get it started at Best of Deep Purple Poll. Remember, pick the best album of Deep Purple and, if you want, add commentary (I love reading basis material).

We have three new reviews up that include Live in London by Leonard Cohen; Lost Channels by Great Lake Swimmers; and The Place and The Time by Steve Forbert.

This ends the first quarter of 2009. Wow! It just goes by so, so fast. I'm also taking this time to let you know that we will not have a Friday, April 3 post up. The reason is that April 2 is my official birthday and we have a traditional 'out to dinner and stuff night' policy on all TAP household birthdays. On April 2, I'll be 52 BIG ones - just three years away from the senior prices at the theatres; a milestone! But I'll be back on Monday, April 6.

I'm encouraging everyone to sign up for Twitter because our feeds that we send throughout a day, almost every day, are "of the moment" news. Plus we give you a shot at catching up on some very interesting cool extras. We even have a Twitter only contest of some awesome CDs. Here's our first: Sign up for Twitter, follow us, and be eligible for a chance to win the new upcoming album by Queensrÿche, American Soldier. For those of you who have already signed up for our feeds, you're already half-there; just send email at the link below. We have one copy and so will choose one from our followers on Wednesday. Sign up, folks. Also, I'm hearing that not everyone WANTS to do Twitter. Understood and respected. For that reason, you'll note that we have reinstalled the Twitter widget so that you can come to TAP at anytime to check up on fresh extra news bits that don't post to MusicTAP, or won't post for a day or two, at least. Plus, it keeps TAP ultra fresh ANYTIME you visit, even if it is a day or so before the next post is up.

For the contest, here's what we'll do. Send me email with your Twitter name (mine is musictap). I'll go on, verify, and then pick one that has sent me an email with their Twitter name. I'll announce winner on Wednesday. For those that cannot do Twitter, we'll have a conventional contest for you in a bit.

-- Listening Party--

Quicktime
Windows Media

--Bonus Video--

If I Were King

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 #44 and the end of this series! This list of 10 definite albums comes from Chris. This series is now officially retired.

1.  The Weakerthans -  Left and Leaving
2.  Queen -  Sheer Heart Attack
3.   Kate Bush - Hounds of Love
4.   John Hiatt -  Bring the Family
5.   Hothouse Flowers - People
6.   Dash Rip Rock - Dash Rip Rock
7.   Nanci Griffith - The Flyer
8.  The Pixies - Doolittle
9.   Big Star - Big Star/#1 Record
10. Rush - Counterparts

Atlantic Records will release an LP version of On Tour with Eric Clapton by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.  It is slated for June 2.

Nonesuch Records will release Bill Evans: Turn Out the Stars/The Final Village Vanguard Recordings – June 1980.  This Bill Evans set is a massive 6CD collection that is primed for May 12.

Watch for a ‘best of’ for Eddie Rabbitt called Number One Hits, which is scheduled for May 12, released by Rhino and Elektra Records.  This set contains 17 tracks spanning the period of 1976-1990.

Warner Brothers Records will release a recently announced Deluxe Edition CD/DVD title from Arctic Monkeys of Arctic Monkeys at the Apollo.  This is planned for May 5.

Roadrunner Records will reissue Bloody Kisses by Type O Negative in a 2CD edition.  It is being scheduled for release on May 5.  The second disc will contain eight bonus tracks from the Bloody Kisses sessions.  This booklet will contain new notes, a new interview, etc.  This is a part of Roadrunner’s ongoing Top Shelf revitalization series.  Who can forget that cover of “Summer Breeze” (Seals & Croft)? 

This is a reminder that Rhino will release the new New York Dolls album, Cause I Sez So, on May 5.  The album is being produced by their debut album’s producer, Todd Rundgren, who says that the album is not a throwback to the ‘70s but is an album for the current band.  They do re-record a new version of “Trash” from the debut.  I’m interested.  I think Conte is a very good guitarist, well versed in the gritty NYC style.

Verve Forecast has a Rock title coming from Among the Oak & Ash, a S/T effort slated for stores on June 16.

The upcoming Black Eyed Peas album gets a title.  The June 9 album will be called The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies).

UMe Imports will reissue three Camel ‘70s classics (Moonmadness; The Snow Goose; and a genuinely grand album, Rain Dances) on May 19.  These discs are 2CD Deluxe Editions and therefore become essential purchases.  Their DD Deluxe Editions (Digital Download) counterparts are planned for the same date.

Chicago Independent will release several titles on May 19.  Those are the S/T album by Clues; Nests of Waves and Wire by Tartufi; and Ringing for the Begin Again by Elfin Saddle.

INGrooves will release the next Crystal Method album called Divided by Night on May 12.  The LP will issue on the same date.

Universal Republic has several coming down the pike with two titles from Owl City (Maybe I’m Dreaming; Of June), and one from Iglu & Hartly called And Then Boom.  The Owl City releases are scheduled for April 21, while the Iglu & Hartly album is planned for May 5.

Geffen Records will be reissuing several Siouxie & The Banshees titles on CD that include A Kiss in the Dreamhouse; Hyaena; Nocturne; and Tinderbox.  These are on the calendar for May 19.

Varese Sarabande has two soundtracks on the lists.  The first is a Harry Gregson-Willams-scored soundtrack for X-Men Origins:Wolverine, due on April 28.  The other is a Michael Giacchino-scored soundtrack for the JJ Abrahms blockbuster film, Star Trek, due on May 5.

Mercury UK plan to release a Pop title for The Bluetones called Expecting to Fly, scheduled for May 19.

UMe Imports will reissue a Metal title with a 25th Anniversary workover, the S/T album from Angel Witch.  This release will be Expanded and likely re-mastered.  It is planned for release as a DD on April 14.

Geffen Records will re-release The Who Sell Out by The Who as a DD on May 19.

Hacktone Records will reissue The Salvation Blues by Mark Olsen as a Deluxe LP with two previously unreleased bonus tracks (“Copper Coin,” “Your Time Will Come”).  This is planned for release on May 5.

Nonesuch will release a vinyl 2LP version of Sara Watkins’ S/T album on May 5.

Virgin Records will release a Pop/Rock title from My Favorite Highway called How to Call a Bluff.  This 11-track album is scheduled for May 5.  To hear the band, click to their MySpace page.

Credential Recordings will release a 6-track EP by the popular Future of Forestry band, which will be called Travel.  The CD/EP will be issued on May 5.  You can sample tracks at their MySpace page.

Inpop Records will release the next Newsboys album called In the Hands of God on May 5.

Candlelight Records will release the catalogue of Killing Joke on vinyl 2LP but in VERY limited numbers (250).  On May 5, you can score Brighter Than a 1000 Suns; Fire Dances; Killing Joke; Outside the Gate; Revelations; What’s This For?; and Night Time.  These will be pressed on 180g vinyl.

More Prestige label magic is coming in the form of The Classic Prestige Sessions, 1951-1956 from Fantasy Records for Miles Davis/Sonny Rollins. Wow! This is scheduled for August 4.

Fania Records will release The Complete 78s, Vol 4 (1949-1955) for Tito Puente on May 12.

Leonard Cohen is one of the world's living legends, who is currently undertaking a massive tour. This album, Live in London, and a separately available DVD, is the grand documents of this man's creativity and perfection.

This Canadian folk-rock band has given an album of depth and perception. Lost Channels is an album that delivers as much wonderful music as the capacity of the CD allows. Great Lake Swimmers is one band to pay attention to.