Steely Dan’s Aja at 40: Still the pinnacle of jazz-pop sophistication

Steely Dan’s Aja at 40: Still the pinnacle of jazz-pop sophistication

September 22, 2017

Steely Dan’s ‘Aja’ set the bar for finesse in pop and rock music, and that bar hadn’t been cleared yet.

Adam Larson, saxophonist and band leader: Something Else! Interview

Adam Larson, saxophonist and band leader: Something Else! Interview

September 10, 2017

Adam Larson discusses his 2017 album ‘Second City,’ its creation – including the decision to cover a song by Nirvana – and his future plans.

The Bad Signs – Black Magic Moments: Record Store Day EP (2017)

The Bad Signs – Black Magic Moments: Record Store Day EP (2017)

April 22, 2017

The Bad Signs remind me of Mazzy Star mashed up with Roy Orbison, but with country-influenced female lead vocals.

Barry Altschul & The 3Dom Factor – Live In Kraków (2015)

Barry Altschul & The 3Dom Factor – Live In Kraków (2015)

September 23, 2017

A galvanizing performance on stage makes it three for three for Barry Altschul and his 3Dom Factor. We could stand for another one after ‘Live In Kraków,’ however.

Various Artists – Sky Music, A Tribute To Terje Rypdal (2017)

Various Artists – Sky Music, A Tribute To Terje Rypdal (2017)

September 21, 2017

feature photo: Roberto Masotti/ECM Records No, Terje Rypdal is still thankfully among us, but with a rich discography stretching back more than fifty years, the Norwegian guitar legend’s 70th birthday is as good occasion as any to

Crown Larks – Population (2017)

Crown Larks – Population (2017)

August 5, 2017

Often 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

The Successful Failures – Ichor of Nettle (2017)

The Successful Failures – Ichor of Nettle (2017)

September 21, 2017

Juggling power-pop instincts with roots rock influences, the Successful Failures produce a sound that exercises both the body and the brain cells.

Dylan Howe, jazz bandleader and Yes drummer: Something Else! Interview

Dylan Howe, jazz bandleader and Yes drummer: Something Else! Interview

August 21, 2017

Dylan Howe had already made a name for himself as a jazz bandleader and a sideman before he joined his father’s group.

Living Colour – Shade (2017)

Living Colour – Shade (2017)

September 11, 2017

Is ‘Shade’ the best ever Living Colour album? Maybe, but that’s such a tall order.

Walter Becker of Steely Dan (1950-2017): An Appreciation

Walter Becker of Steely Dan (1950-2017): An Appreciation

September 4, 2017

Walter Becker’s death invites a renewed appreciation of the unique contributions to music by Steely Dan.

Jonny Lang – Signs (2017)

Jonny Lang – Signs (2017)

September 1, 2017

Older, wiser and brimming with confidence, Jonny Lang makes his strongest case yet for his early fans who fell in love with that high school phenom to come running back to him. In 2017, ‘Signs’ fulfills the promise of 1997.

Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – Tajmo (2017)

Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – Tajmo (2017)

May 5, 2017

With Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’s ‘Tajmo,’ you have two folk/blues legends, two generations – and one marvelous meeting.

Chicago + Al Green, “Tired of Being Alone” (1973): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago + Al Green, “Tired of Being Alone” (1973): Saturdays in the Park

July 1, 2017

“Tired of Being Alone” has the greatest lead vocal on any officially released Chicago song – and that’s an insult to no one.

Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – Tajmo (2017)

Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – Tajmo (2017)

May 5, 2017

With Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’s ‘Tajmo,’ you have two folk/blues legends, two generations – and one marvelous meeting.

Yes, “Hearts” from 90125 (1983): YESterdays

Yes, “Hearts” from 90125 (1983): YESterdays

September 19, 2017

What a way to end Yes’ ‘90125,’ the biggest album from the world’s greatest progressive rock band.

Steely Dan Sunday: Katy Lied turns 40 this month

Steely Dan Sunday: Katy Lied turns 40 this month

March 8, 2015

This 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.

Into the Great Wide Open: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “You’re Gonna Get It” (1978)

Into the Great Wide Open: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “You’re Gonna Get It” (1978)

June 17, 2014

Petty began to take control of his vocal gifts on the second Heartbreakers album.

The Beatles, “You Know My Name” from Past Masters (1970): Deep Beatles

The Beatles, “You Know My Name” from Past Masters (1970): Deep Beatles

August 31, 2017

It may not rank as an all-time fan favorite, but “You Know My Name” reveals the various sources the Beatles drew from in their music.

Bruce Springsteen – The River (1980): Gimme Five

Bruce Springsteen – The River (1980): Gimme Five

October 18, 2015

When Bruce Springsteen issued ‘The River’ in October of 1980, I didn’t like it very much. Time has changed that – and here’s why.

Levon and the Hawks, “He Don’t Love You” (1965): Across the Great Divide

Levon and the Hawks, “He Don’t Love You” (1965): Across the Great Divide

October 22, 2015

The 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.

Toto, “These Chains” from The Seventh One (1988): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “These Chains” from The Seventh One (1988): Toto Tuesdays

August 29, 2017

Sometimes, favorites jump out and grab you – and other times, as with Toto’s “These Chains,” they sneak up and catch you unaware.

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Offramp” (1981)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Offramp” (1981)

June 7, 2014

Some think Metheny is joking around, that he couldn’t possibly like “all of this noise.”

Chicago, “Call on Me” from Chicago VII (1974): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Call on Me” from Chicago VII (1974): Saturdays in the Park

September 23, 2017

Combining a catchy melody, a good story, amazing brass and prominent percussion, Chicago’s “Call on Me” is a purely enjoyable listen.

The Rainy Daze, “That Acapulco Gold” (1967): One Track Mind

The Rainy Daze, “That Acapulco Gold” (1967): One Track Mind

September 18, 2017

Remembering the Rainy Daze, an unjustly forgotten group featuring the writers of the Strawberry Alarm Clock’s chart-topping hit “Incense and Peppermints.”

Goldfinger, Sept. 9, 2017: Shows I’ll Never Forget

Goldfinger, Sept. 9, 2017: Shows I’ll Never Forget

September 12, 2017

Two things are clear from note one: Goldfinger is John Feldmann’s band – and he has come to incite a party.

Rock and Roll Music, by the Beatles, Stones, Oasis, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Odd Couples

Rock and Roll Music, by the Beatles, Stones, Oasis, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Odd Couples

June 25, 2017

For 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

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.

Cheap Trick – Cheap Trick (1977); We’re All Alright! (2017): Shadows in Stereo

Cheap Trick – Cheap Trick (1977); We’re All Alright! (2017): Shadows in Stereo

July 21, 2017

Cheap 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.

I Thought I Knew Something About the Beatles

I Thought I Knew Something About the Beatles

September 15, 2017

Tom Wilmeth takes a deep dive into the expanded edition of Mark Lewisohn’s ‘The Beatles – All These Years, Vol. 1: Tune In.’

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Moby, Eddie Vedder + others – Change Begins Within (2017)

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Moby, Eddie Vedder + others – Change Begins Within (2017)

September 8, 2017

‘Change Begins Within’ shines when these artists appear onstage together, clearly reveling in their collegiality.

Walter Becker of Steely Dan (1950-2017): An Appreciation

Walter Becker of Steely Dan (1950-2017): An Appreciation

September 4, 2017

Walter Becker’s death invites a renewed appreciation of the unique contributions to music by Steely Dan.

Halloween Howlers from Guadalcanal Diary, Joy Division, Jim Stafford + others: Gimme Five

Halloween Howlers from Guadalcanal Diary, Joy Division, Jim Stafford + others: Gimme Five

October 29, 2016

Let’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.