How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for British Blues

How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for British Blues

March 20, 2024

I thought I didn’t need another take on “Come On In My Kitchen.” Twenty years ago, Eric Clapton proved me wrong with ‘Me and Mr. Johnson.’

Terry Blade on ‘Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper’: Something Else! Interview

Terry Blade on ‘Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper’: Something Else! Interview

March 10, 2024

Terry Blade joins Preston Frazier to discuss his brutally honest, emotion-filled new album, ‘Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper.’

Wabi Sabi – ‘The Love Insane’ (2024)

Wabi Sabi – ‘The Love Insane’ (2024)

March 24, 2024

With ‘The Love Insane,’ Wabi Sabi learned new ways to piece together an LP, using various pieces recorded in various locations rather than having each other present.

Dave Harrington, Max Jaffe + Patrick Shiroishi – ‘Speak, Moment’ (2024)

Dave Harrington, Max Jaffe + Patrick Shiroishi – ‘Speak, Moment’ (2024)

March 1, 2024

The sounds made by Dave Harrington, Max Jaffe and Patrick Shiroishi on ‘Speak, Moment’ are the sounds of discovery, surprise and uncommon communion.

Thollem – ‘Worlds In A Life, One’ (2024)

Thollem – ‘Worlds In A Life, One’ (2024)

February 2, 2024

Thollem made something entirely new using used parts created by various trios and mold them into a genuine piece of aural art made by a six performers using the intuition of one.

How Billy Joel’s ‘Turn the Lights Back On’ Recalls Past Glories

How Billy Joel’s ‘Turn the Lights Back On’ Recalls Past Glories

March 22, 2024

Billy Joel’s last album of pop-rock music was 1993’s mediocre ‘River of Dreams,’ but this single shows there is still talent burning.

Luckless UK’s Underrated ‘Danger Money’ Arrived Just as Prog Fell Apart

Luckless UK’s Underrated ‘Danger Money’ Arrived Just as Prog Fell Apart

March 8, 2024

Released 45 years ago this month, UK’s trio-led sophomore effort ‘Danger Money’ is past due for a reevaluation.

Why That Self-Titled 1994 Album Is the Best Motley Crue You Never Heard

Why That Self-Titled 1994 Album Is the Best Motley Crue You Never Heard

March 18, 2024

Released 30 years ago, ‘Motley Crue’ is actually their heaviest and most mature record – mature, of course, being a relative term.

How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for British Blues

How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for British Blues

March 20, 2024

I thought I didn’t need another take on “Come On In My Kitchen.” Twenty years ago, Eric Clapton proved me wrong with ‘Me and Mr. Johnson.’

How Billy Joel’s ‘Turn the Lights Back On’ Recalls Past Glories

How Billy Joel’s ‘Turn the Lights Back On’ Recalls Past Glories

March 22, 2024

Billy Joel’s last album of pop-rock music was 1993’s mediocre ‘River of Dreams,’ but this single shows there is still talent burning.

Peter Himmelman, Marcel Bonfim, Ozomatli + Others: Five for the Road

Peter Himmelman, Marcel Bonfim, Ozomatli + Others: Five for the Road

February 5, 2024

Peter Himmelman, Marcel Bonfim and Ozomatli are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.

‘Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon,’ by Joel Selvin (2024): Books

‘Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon,’ by Joel Selvin (2024): Books

March 12, 2024

Jim Gordon’s accomplishments are often overlooked, even by knowledgeable listeners. In his well-researched and thoughtful biography ‘Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon,’ Joel Selvin changes that.

Peter Himmelman, Marcel Bonfim, Ozomatli + Others: Five for the Road

Peter Himmelman, Marcel Bonfim, Ozomatli + Others: Five for the Road

February 5, 2024

Peter Himmelman, Marcel Bonfim and Ozomatli are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.

How Billy Joel’s ‘Turn the Lights Back On’ Recalls Past Glories

How Billy Joel’s ‘Turn the Lights Back On’ Recalls Past Glories

March 22, 2024

Billy Joel’s last album of pop-rock music was 1993’s mediocre ‘River of Dreams,’ but this single shows there is still talent burning.

How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for British Blues

How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for British Blues

March 20, 2024

I thought I didn’t need another take on “Come On In My Kitchen.” Twenty years ago, Eric Clapton proved me wrong with ‘Me and Mr. Johnson.’

How Rudolph Stole the Show on ‘The Temptations Christmas Card’

How Rudolph Stole the Show on ‘The Temptations Christmas Card’

December 25, 2023

This album will always be defined by its lead-off moment, as the Temptations take a kid’s song and transform it into a funked-out Yuletide hoot.

Norman Lear Would Change Modern TV, But First He Came to Iowa

Norman Lear Would Change Modern TV, But First He Came to Iowa

December 11, 2023

I have been struck by how long the accolades have continued after the passing of Norman Lear. It made me realize that I have a story, too.

The Daily Doug: The Albums That Shaped My Career

The Daily Doug: The Albums That Shaped My Career

July 15, 2022

Composer, educator and vocal-group conductor Douglas Helvering, best known for his YouTube channel, The Daily Doug, discusses LPs that changed everything.

Terry Kirkman’s Legend Was Bigger Than the Association’s ‘Cherish’

Terry Kirkman’s Legend Was Bigger Than the Association’s ‘Cherish’

September 27, 2023

The Association’s chart-topping “Cherish” was the epitome of the romantic pop ballad, but Terry Kirkman wrote far more – and far more interesting – songs.

Steve Howe Made a Colorful, Quite Surprising Debut With Tomorrow

Steve Howe Made a Colorful, Quite Surprising Debut With Tomorrow

February 20, 2023

Released 55 years ago this month, the self-titled debut by Yes stalwart Steve Howe’s old band Tomorrow is one of the best of its psychedelic kind.

Five Moments of Eternal Brilliance From Steely Dan’s ‘Pretzel Logic’

Five Moments of Eternal Brilliance From Steely Dan’s ‘Pretzel Logic’

February 20, 2024

Released 50 years ago today, Steely Dan’s ‘Pretzel Logic’ remains a pinnacle achievement for the premier jazz-pop rock band. Here’s a handful of reasons why.

Playin’ the Changes With Tom Petty, Aerosmith + Cheap Trick: Shadows in Stereo

Playin’ the Changes With Tom Petty, Aerosmith + Cheap Trick: Shadows in Stereo

October 25, 2021

Often over-looked albums by Tom Petty, Aerosmith and Cheap Trick are turning 40 next year. But why wait for a rock ‘n’ roll re-evaluation?