Man o’ Man what a truckload of new releases this week. Kathleen Edward’s 3rd cd at last, the overdue new cd from the wacky world of Jim White called “Transnormal Skiperoo”. The mysterious and elusive Blue Floyd finally lets loose a cd, Carlene Carter returns to recording as do blues man Eddy Chief Clearwater, and WNCW favorites The Waifs. PLUS there are those deluxe 2CD re-issue versions of Elvis Costello “This Year’s Model”, Whiskeytown “Strangers Almanac” and Gary Numan’s Replicas. AND Black Crowes are back with “Warpaint”, as is Autechre (the unflinching vanguard front runners in electronica) and jazz re-issues from Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Milt Jackson / Wes Montgomery, Thelonious Monk. But wait! Jackson Browne, BoDeans and our pals the Chatham County Line.

The Handlebar has a run of shows lined up that looks pretty snazzy; Jesse Harris and Robin Trower this week then BoDeans new CD this week!) 3/26, Robert Earl Keen 3/28, Dale Watson 4/2, The Bad Plus 4/30, Drive-By Truckers 5/12, Chuck Prophet 6/19 (oh yeah!) we have tickets or visit www.handlebar-online.com. In an entirely different zone, I am really excited that Renee Fleming is coming to The Peace Center Thursday March 13. This will be her only recital concert in North America in 2008. Ms. Fleming is absolutely one the most critically acclaimed and world renowned opera voices of our generation. Period. Any appearance by her is a major event. Her numerous recordings are all gorgeous and too many to list here, however we are stocking in a selection of some of the best choices to accommodated Rene Fleming fever. I am particularly fond of her “I Want Magic” CD. Contact the Peace Center right away for tickets 467-3000 or www.peacecenter.org.

So much music so little time. I say, give yourself a break and stop by Horizon. Wander around our cozy little shrine and we’ll “make the world go away” for a few minutes while you browse and listen and gaze and wonder to yourself (or out loud), what are these guys thinking? I’ll tell you what we’re thinking, Rock’n'Roll is here to stay, Classical music is forever and Carolina Funk is the best in the world. All you have to do is.

COME SEE US.

PS: we still have no Eagles CDs and lovin’ it.