June Foray, Legendary Voice Actor (1917-2017): An Appreciation
July 27, 2017Mike Tiano remembers June Foray, best known as the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel. She was 99.
Jason Lyon, jazz pianist: Something Else! Interview
July 11, 2017The fun, dexterous jazz pianist Jason Lyon has just ended his well-received six-year residency at Toulouse Lautrec in London. Now what?
The Bad Signs – Black Magic Moments: Record Store Day EP (2017)
April 22, 2017The Bad Signs remind me of Mazzy Star mashed up with Roy Orbison, but with country-influenced female lead vocals.
Walt Weiskopf – Fountain Of Youth (2017)
August 6, 2017‘Fountain Of Youth’ has the energy and enthusiasm of someone striving to make his mark, but with the discernment of the accomplished veteran that Weiskopf is.
Gary Bartz’s NTU Troop – Harlem Bush Music – Uhuru (1971)/Joe Henderson – The Elements (1973) (2017 reissues)
July 19, 2017Jazz Dispensary reissues two early 70s documents of explorative jazz: Gary Bartz NTU Troop – ‘Harlem Bush Music – Uhuru’ (1971) and Joe Henderson feat Alice Coltrane – ‘The Elements’ (1973)
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Denny Zeitlin and George Marsh – Expedition (2017)
July 16, 2017 -
Burning Ghosts – Reclamation (2017)
June 28, 2017
Crown Larks – Population (2017)
August 5, 2017Often compared to psychedelic post-rock outfits like Broadcast and Oneida, Chicago’s own Crown Larks can be thought of as jazz’s answer to Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, or indie rock’s answer to Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time, depending on
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Denny Zeitlin and George Marsh – Expedition (2017)
July 16, 2017 -
Brandon Seabrook – Die Trommel Fatale (2017)
July 8, 2017
Cheap Trick – Cheap Trick (1977); We’re All Alright! (2017): Shadows in Stereo
July 21, 2017Cheap Trick’s ‘We’re All Alright!’ does what so few late-career albums are able to do: tap into what made a band great in the first place.
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Chris Robinson Brotherhood – Barefoot In The Head (2017)
July 15, 2017 -
Heart – Alive in Seattle (2003; 2017 reissue)
July 9, 2017
Alan Parsons Project somehow remains faceless, despite hitting big with Eye in the Sky
June 24, 2017It didn’t help that a different singer was featured on each single from the Alan Parsons Project’s smash album, which arrived in June 1982.
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Deep Purple – InFinite (2017)
April 10, 2017 -
Steve Hackett – The Night Siren (2017)
April 6, 2017
Alestorm – No Grave But the Sea (2017)
May 31, 2017Frankly, not a lot of music has excited me through the first half of this year. That is, until Alestorm’s ‘No Grave But the Sea’ arrived.
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Alice Cooper, May 11, 2017: Shows I’ll Never Forget
May 15, 2017 -
Savatage – Fight for the Rock (1986): Metal Meltdowns
April 19, 2017
Michael McDonald, “Find It In Your Heart” from Wide Open (2017): One Track Mind
July 30, 2017Michael McDonald’s “Find It In Your Heart” fits comfortably in his canon of strong love songs, and is a welcome return of the master.
Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – Tajmo (2017)
May 5, 2017With Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’s ‘Tajmo,’ you have two folk/blues legends, two generations – and one marvelous meeting.
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Robert Cray – Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm (2017)
April 27, 2017 -
Eric Bibb – Migration Blues (2017)
March 27, 2017
Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – Tajmo (2017)
May 5, 2017With Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’s ‘Tajmo,’ you have two folk/blues legends, two generations – and one marvelous meeting.
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Robert Cray – Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm (2017)
April 27, 2017 -
Jenny Scheinman – Here on Earth (2017)
April 23, 2017
On Broadway: The Songs of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil (2016)
June 14, 2017‘On Broadway’ offers mostly curiosities for admirers and collectors of the brilliant ’60s and ’70s songs composed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
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Brownout – Over The Covers EP (2017)
June 12, 2017 -
Super Freak: The Life of Rick James, by Peter Benjaminson: Books
May 16, 2017
Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – Tajmo (2017)
May 5, 2017With Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’s ‘Tajmo,’ you have two folk/blues legends, two generations – and one marvelous meeting.
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Jenny Scheinman – Here on Earth (2017)
April 23, 2017 -
Eric Bibb – Migration Blues (2017)
March 27, 2017
Yes, “Leave It” from 90125 (1983): YESterdays
August 8, 2017“Leave It,” the second single from 1983’s ‘90125,’ ranks as one of Yes’ most oddball tracks. But what a glorious oddball it is!
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Yes, “Cinema” from 90125 (1983): YESterdays
July 25, 2017 -
Yes, “Changes” from 90125 (1983): YESterdays
July 11, 2017
Steely Dan Sunday: Katy Lied turns 40 this month
March 8, 2015This month, Steely Dan’s ‘Katy Lied’ turned 40 years old. Here are some reasons why it’s good enough to overcome an infamous mixing fiasco.
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Best Miscellaneous Steely Dan Performances: Steely Dan Sunday
December 28, 2014 -
Best Steely Dan keyboard performances: Steely Dan Sunday
December 21, 2014
Into the Great Wide Open: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “You’re Gonna Get It” (1978)
June 17, 2014Petty began to take control of his vocal gifts on the second Heartbreakers album.
The Beatles, “Flying” from Magical Mystery Tour (1967): Deep Beatles
July 26, 2017While “Flying” may seem like an inconsequential instrumental, it demonstrates the influence the Beatles had on a popular music form: electronica.
Bruce Springsteen – The River (1980): Gimme Five
October 18, 2015When Bruce Springsteen issued ‘The River’ in October of 1980, I didn’t like it very much. Time has changed that – and here’s why.
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Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run (1975): Deep Cuts
August 25, 2015 -
Bruce Springsteen’s complex and challenging The Rising: Gimme Five
July 31, 2015
Levon and the Hawks, “He Don’t Love You” (1965): Across the Great Divide
October 22, 2015The Band, then known as Levon and the Hawks, released a few forgotten songs before heading to that basement with Bob Dylan. Here’s one of the best.
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The Band – Moondog Matinee (1973): Gimme Five
October 15, 2015 -
Robbie Robertson was again sparked by America, old friends on Storyville
September 30, 2015
Toto, “Only the Children” from The Seventh One (1988): Toto Tuesdays
August 1, 2017Toto’s “Only the Children,” written by David Paich and Joseph Williams, is another testament to a composing partnership that was prematurely cut short.
(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Offramp” (1981)
June 7, 2014Some think Metheny is joking around, that he couldn’t possibly like “all of this noise.”
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(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Eighteen” (1981)
May 31, 2014 -
(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Au Lait” (1981)
May 24, 2014
Chicago, “Lifesaver” from Chicago VII (1974): Saturdays in the Park
August 5, 2017Part of the appeal of Chicago’s “Lifesaver” is that it’s fun – a stark contrast to the pretentious seriousness of 1973’s ‘Chicago VI.’
Michael McDonald, “Find It In Your Heart” from Wide Open (2017): One Track Mind
July 30, 2017Michael McDonald’s “Find It In Your Heart” fits comfortably in his canon of strong love songs, and is a welcome return of the master.
Paul McCartney, July 25, 2017: Shows I’ll Never Forget
July 28, 2017This Paul McCartney concert was a trip through time, and a reminder of the Beatles’ lasting influence on today’s music.
Rock and Roll Music, by the Beatles, Stones, Oasis, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Odd Couples
June 25, 2017For us, rock and roll was a term applied to music of the 1950s such as Elvis Presley or Chuck Berry – and was strictly to be avoided.
Savatage – Fight for the Rock (1986): Metal Meltdowns
April 19, 2017‘Fight for the Rock’ almost put Savatage’s career in a coffin before we got their best work.
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Motley Crue – Generation Swine (1997): Metal Meltdowns
March 31, 2017 -
Celtic Frost – Cold Lake (1988): Metal Meltdowns
November 20, 2016
Cheap Trick – Cheap Trick (1977); We’re All Alright! (2017): Shadows in Stereo
July 21, 2017Cheap Trick’s ‘We’re All Alright!’ does what so few late-career albums are able to do: tap into what made a band great in the first place.
The Beatles and ‘Sgt. Pepper’: A Fans’ Perspective, by Bruce Spizer (2017): Books
June 14, 2017Why is the Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ so significant? Bruce Spizer tackles this complicated issue by talking to every-day people.
Heart – Alive in Seattle (2003; 2017 reissue)
July 9, 2017Displaying their broad musical range, Ann and Nancy Wilson remind us why Heart is considered the foremost interpreters of Led Zeppelin.
June Foray, Legendary Voice Actor (1917-2017): An Appreciation
July 27, 2017Mike Tiano remembers June Foray, best known as the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel. She was 99.
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Ella Fitzgerald, “Perdido” (1949): Appreciations
April 25, 2017 -
Is This the Best-Ever Prince Cover?
April 21, 2017
Halloween Howlers from Guadalcanal Diary, Joy Division, Jim Stafford + others: Gimme Five
October 29, 2016Let’s stalk through the rock ‘n’ roll graveyard and dig up some of the scariest music on this side of the mortal curtain from Joy Division and others.
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Unreleased Songs by Bob Dylan: Gimme Five
May 24, 2016 -
Essentials by the Eagles’ Glenn Frey: Gimme Five
February 21, 2016
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