Archive for October, 2017

Chicago, “Brand New Love Affair, Parts I and II” from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Brand New Love Affair, Parts I and II” from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Road weary and dying for a day off, Chicago still manages to address both their jazz roots and rock and roll side in a single composition.

Vinyl

Dream Syndicate – How Did I Find Myself Here? (2017)

In some ways, the new Dream Syndicate album is understood less as a singular release and better in the context of Steve Wynn’s overall career.

Vinyl

Damfino – One False Move And I’m Yours (2017)

It’s obvious Damfino had a ton of fun in the studio, and their enthusiasm spills right out of the speakers.

Yes, “Big Generator” from Big Generator (1987): YESterdays

Yes, “Big Generator” from Big Generator (1987): YESterdays

“Big Generator,” the title track from Yes’ 12th studio album, seems desperate in its need to sound modern.

Vinyl

Ross Hammond and Jon Bafus – Masonic Lawn (2017)

For ‘Masonic Lawn,’ Hammond uses Resonator guitars to hold an extemporaneous musical dialogue with Bafus.

The Beatles, “Only a Northern Song” from Yellow Submarine (1967): Deep Beatles

The Beatles, “Only a Northern Song” from Yellow Submarine (1967): Deep Beatles

The Beatles’ “Only a Northern Song” may be “a little dark and out of key,” as George Harrison proclaims, but only in the most intriguing sense.

Vinyl

Mostly Other People Do The Killing – Paint (2017)

After the septet outing ‘Loafer’s Hollow’, Moppa Elliot makes “less is more” the mantra for the trio feature ‘Paint’. Which only goes to show that size really doesn’t matter with Mostly Other People Do The Killing; only gumption does.

Chicago, “Anyway You Want” from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Anyway You Want” from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago’s “Anyway You Want” sounds like Peter Cetera dashed it off in five minutes. And this is the lead-off song for ‘Chicago VIII’?

Vinyl

Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pak Coalition – Agrima (2017)

Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pak Coalition’s the original mission of melding modern group-level stream-of-consciousness with contemporary raga remains intact, ‘Agrima’ builds on those original ideas, too.

Vinyl

Chris Combs – Combsy (2017)

Chris Comb’s ‘Combsy’ is strongly recommended for those who like the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, but this fuller impression of Combs’ offbeat musical personality is a treat all unto itself.