Thanks for the respone and the games.

So it seems there is no outright refutation, but an edge for white for players familiar with the theory.  That is very helpful, as it confirms my suspiscion that this is a good surprise move below the master level.

Is there a refutation to 8...b5 in the Taimanov against the English Attack?  

I saw a database game with N. McDonald where 9.Bf4 e5 was played, and black got in trouble.  That doesn't seem forced though, I played 9. Bf4 Qb6 in a recent game and won (moves below).  The resulting positions seem reasonable to me, why do very few black players seem to play this line?

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nc6
5. Nc3 Qc7
6. Be3 a6
7. Qd2 Nf6
8. O-O-O b5
9. Bf4 Qb6
10. Nxc6 Qxc6
11. f3 h5
12. e5 b4
13. Ne2 Nd5
14. Nd4 Qc7
15. Bd3 Rb8
16. Rd1e1 Qb6
17. Bc4 Nxf4
18. Qxf4 d5
19. Bb3 Bd7
20. Re2 a5
21. Rd1 Be7
22. Bxd5 exd5
23. e6 Bxe6
24. Nxe6 fxe6
25. Rxe6 Qxe6
26. Qxb8+ Bd8
27. Qb7 g6
28. Qxd5 Qxd5
29. Rxd5 Ke7
30. c4 bxc3
31. bxc3 Bc7
32. Kc2 Rd8
33. Rg5 Kf6
34. h4 a4
35. g4 hxg4
36. Rxg4 a3
37. Ra4 Bd6
38. Ra6 Ke5
39. Ra5+ Kf4
40. Rg5 Rg8
41. Kb3 Be7
42. Rd5 Kxf3
43. h5 g5
44. Rf5+ Ke4
45. Ra5 g4
46. h6 g3
47. h7 Rb8+
48. Kc4 g2
49. Ra7 g1=Q
50. Rxe7+ Kf5 0-1