As if this week couldn't end any sadder than it already has, Death decides to make it a bigger sweep by taking not only Patrick Swayze, but also another Pop icon (Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In/Films) in Henry Gibson. His skits in Rowan & Martin were memorable (I earlier, for some reason or other, confused Gibson with Arte Johnson (thanks to my pals, Tim and Brian for catching that and saving me from further embarassment). Regardless, his passing is sad. But the passing that reverberates most in the music world is that of Mary Travers. A vital part of the Peter, Paul & Mary troupe, she was essential to the great songs that we all will remember fondly, and in fact, do so now. More than many, the death of Mary Travers goes farther in reminding us of our mortality, largely because many of us grew up with her band at a very young age. She died after a long bout with Leukemia, which we're sad for her having had to suffer as long as she had. May she provide the Great Band with a wonderfully fresh - and unique - voice!

Mary Travers
1936-2009
RIP

We'll see you back here on Monday.

Round 28 of Great Album Covers:

Tom F.:

John P. - Genuine Imitation Life Gazette - The Four Seasons: The album didn't sell, but the cover was the 1st "newspaper" format with several pages enclosed. A few years later, Jethro Tull did the "Thick As A Brick" cover in the same format. :

and David H.:

We have a few cool things for you today that includes some vinyl. My question...will we be reissuing all of the big titles of the past in vinyl LP? All in heavyweight 180g - or heavier, much better than that cheap flimsy vinyl of the waning years of its former glory. Most of it remastered(?). All of it heavier, not only in its weight, but in its cost. Regardless, new vinyl still feels good. I love my turntable!!

Rhino Records is releasing the 4CD Box, Storyteller, for Rod Stewart, on November 17. Just to let you know...

Elektra Records will reissue three Joni Mitchell classic titles in 180g vinyl LP on November 11. Those titles include The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Court and Spark, and Ladies of the Canyon. Excited? Yeah, I know.

Rhino has a 6CD Box for The Doors coming on November 11. It is called Live in New York.

Curb Records will release Beautiful History: A Hits Collection for Plumb, in a 2CD set planned for November 3.

Hip-O Records puts Anthology for Blackmore's Rainbow into the Digital realm on November 17.

Club Jazz fans should take immediate notice of City Life from the Jazz Quintet, The Dangling Success.  They build their endearing selection of songs, including a gracious rendition of The Rolling Stones' rockier “Beast of Burden,”into a collection of enjoyable instrumentals. 

The Niekrewicz experience is the centerpiece here with his saxophones.  But his accompanying band highlight his instrument with excellence, every note played in perfection.  The band's music is a time capture from the '70s and enjoyably so.  City Life is easy to fall in love with.  I highly recommend the full-album experience because you won't want to break this one apart. - ****

Imagine the AM radio Psychedelic Pop staples from the '60s and you're on target for the sound of the first album by Nurses.  Nurses is helmed by two pals who have recorded the body of this work, Apple's Acre, in attics and basements, delivering ten very cool-sounding retro-blasts that would have been at home in decades past.

This exploration of past musical styles have become the holy grail of bands, many who have dedicated themselves to the perfection of familiar sounds.  I'm not so sure that this is the case with Nurses as they sound like they would have invented the psychedelic/Pop style if it didn't already exist.  And that sentiment is very evident as you go from song to song.  Apple's Acre is a warm collection of songs that will have you interested from the beginning track. - ***

If you ever liked Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxie and the Banshees, and/or killing Joke, then we have a new discovery for you. The Opposite Sex from DC has returned with an EP that juice those of you who appreciate good talent and that draws influence from the music that you loved in the past.

Their new (09/01) EP, Live + Burn follows their Violent Heartstrings from 2007 with more great music. I'll be surprised if you DON'T like 'em. To get you started, they are gifitng you with a free downloadable MP3 from the EP, "Frozen Heart, Frozen Mind."

They can be sampled further at their MySpace, Facebook, and LastFM. You can even follow 'em on Twitter.