Archive for May, 2011

Vinyl

Half Notes: Dave Glasser – Evolution (2010)

by Mark Saleski Sax, piano, bass and drums — staples in the jazz world. Sometimes, that combination can be bland. If the players don’t add a little spice to the proceedings, you quickly realize that you’ve been here before. (“What? Intro-head-solos-head again?!”) Thankfully, Dave Glasser knows how to apply theRead More

Vinyl

Manu Katché – Neighbourhood (2006)

by Mark Saleski Ever stumble into one of those snotty Internet arguments tugging back & forth about the capabilities of musicians? Specifically, the old “Is it possible for player X (an expert in genre A) to cross over to the land of genre B?” “Well, of course he can.” “He’sRead More

Vinyl

Half Notes: Corinne Bailey Rae – Live In London and New York (2007)

By Tom Johnson Corinne Bailey Rae is one of those unexpected interests for me, a pop-chanteuse making the kind of music I typically wouldn’t really find much interest in. But, for some reason, I fell for her simple, emotive voice. My only problem with her eponymous debut album was thatRead More

Vinyl

One Track Mind: ANT-BEE, featuring Peter Banks, "Endless Journey" (2011)

“Endless Journey,” a thrilling little space-rock number by ANT-BEE, begins appropriately enough: With a countdown and then a rocket launch. The unmistakable tone of Peter Banks’ guitar floats by next You May Also Like: Flash [Featuring Yes Co-Founder Peter Banks] – ‘In the USA Live 1972-73’ (2022) Robbie Dupree, Chicago,Read More

Vinyl

Half Notes: Earl MacDonald – Re: Visions (2010)

By Mark Saleski Subtitled “Works for Jazz Orchestra,” this album showcases the arranging talents of Earl MacDonald as well as a stellar cast of cohorts. I have to be honest here and say that big-ish bands are not usually my thing. That is, unless they’re doing something “odd” (see: CarlaRead More

Vinyl

Kevin Godley, co-founder of 10cc: Something Else! Interview

Kevin Godley talks about 10cc, Creme and Gouldman, his lost musical experiment with the Gizmo, and the dangers of working as a video director.

Vinyl

Half Notes: Jessie Marquez, "La Herida (The Wound)" (2011)

Listening, you’d be hard pressed to place Jessie Marquez, a sensual American singer with Cuban roots, anywhere near her hometown of Eugene, Ore. There is something so otherworldly, so richly textured, so intimate and humid and spicy about tracks like “La Herida.” Written by Gustavo Rodriguez, this redemptive tune isRead More

Vinyl

Sheryl Crow – C'mon C'mon (2002)

by Derrick Lord Old sayings get to be old sayings for a reason: There is usually a good bit of truth in them. I gave Sheryl Crow’s album C’mon, C’mon a spin based on the single “Steve McQueen” and I thought: “Yup, the apple didn’t fall too far from theRead More

Vinyl

Half Notes: Charles Evans/ Neil Shah – Live at Saint Stephens (2009)

by Mark Saleski Baritone sax (Evans) and piano recorded live at a church. The room gave just the right amount of natural reverb, which is a great thing because too much echo can muddy all of those wonderful details my ears parts expect from the bari sax: clacking valves, breathyRead More

Steely Dan Sunday, “Bodhisattva” (1973)

Steely Dan Sunday, “Bodhisattva” (1973)

A rock song about Buddhism that you can dance the Charleston to, boasting not one but two bad-ass guitar leads? That’s a party tune, Steely Dan style.