Archive for February 5th, 2015

Vinyl

Rudresh Mahanthappa – Bird Calls (2015)

Here is a review of ‘Bird Calls,’ a creative tribute by alto sax great Rudresh Mahanthappa to his primary inspiration Charlie Parker.

The Band, “Back to Memphis” from ‘Moondog Matinee’ (1973): Across the Great Divide

The Band, “Back to Memphis” from ‘Moondog Matinee’ (1973): Across the Great Divide

The Band simply stole “Back to Memphis” from Chuck Berry, who tended to wink his way through it. Levon Helm, however, found something darker.

Vinyl

Joe Perry on the Yardbirds’ twin-guitar attack: ‘That was proto-Aerosmith’

Joe Perry says the future of Aerosmith was shaped by a key moment featuring the Yardbirds’ Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck.

Vinyl

Gilad Atzmon + the Orient House Ensemble – The Whistle Blower (2015)

Gilad Atzmon and his Orient House Ensemble have been busy in their musical kitchen, cooking up a delightful menu. Time to dig in!

Toto, “Orphan” from Toto XIV (2015): One Track Mind

Toto, “Orphan” from Toto XIV (2015): One Track Mind

If you loved Toto before, this is a song that will speak to that passion. If you wondered whether they still had anything left, “Orphan” answers that, too.

Vinyl

Jackson Taylor and the Sinners – Cantina del Diablo (2015)

Jackson Taylor’s ‘Cantina del Diablo’ reminds us that underneath the fun-loving, boozy persona we often see, there’s a damned good songwriter.