Archive for November, 2014

Vinyl

Kendall Moore – Focus (2014)

This is how you do mainstream jazz, friends. ‘Focus’ is an album by jazz newcomer Kendall Moore, but this time, the rookie’s got it all together on the first try.

Vinyl

Todd Rundgren – At the BBC: 1972-1982 (2014)

‘At the BBC’ finds Todd Rundgren in a particularly fizzy moment, as he moves from classic pop structures to prog and then into psychedelia.

Vinyl

Emily White, “Borrowed Man” from Staking Flags in the Valley (2014): One Track Mind

Emily White blends an expressive and earnest vocal quality with evocative and colorful lyrics.

Vinyl

David Paich, Robbie Krieger discuss rock’s impact on the fall of Communism: ‘The only reason we got through’

David Paich and Robbie Krieger trace the history of the Berlin Wall and its ultimate demise through the lens of music.

Best Steely Dan Drumming Performances: Steely Dan Sunday

Best Steely Dan Drumming Performances: Steely Dan Sunday

Here are Steely Dan’s five best drum performances, selected in tandem by our panel of Steely Dan authorities.

Vinyl

Marcus Roberts, “The Mystery of Romance” (2014): One Track Mind

After a period of retrenchment that saw Marcus Roberts rejoining early mentor Wynton Marsalis, this shows he’s ready for a more adventurous path.

Peter Banks Empire – The Mars Tapes (2014)

Peter Banks Empire – The Mars Tapes (2014)

Peter Banks Empire is a lost treasure from a time when prog badly needed something to restore its creative momentum.

Why are We Still Confining Musicians to Genre Boxes?

Why are We Still Confining Musicians to Genre Boxes?

Nearly every musician gets slotted into a genre by writers, magazines, listeners and readers. Why must we do that?

Steve Cropper explores the mysteries of his ageless guitar style: ‘It was all accidental’

Steve Cropper explores the mysteries of his ageless guitar style: ‘It was all accidental’

Steve Cropper has become one of the most respected of sessions men, a guitarist of economy, grit and grace. But how?

JC Mosquito’s Top Reissues for 2014: Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, CSNY, others

JC Mosquito’s Top Reissues for 2014: Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, CSNY, others

Top reissues of 2014 include a double shot of Led Zeppelin, more Bob Dylan and the Band than you could imagine, and some long-lost CSNY.