Archive for April, 2018

Vinyl

Iron Maiden’s masterpiece Seventh Son of a Seventh Son changed everything

‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son,’ released 30 years ago this week, started a journey. Iron Maiden is now a part of me, and I am a part of what’s kept them around.

Vinyl

Material Issue – Telecommando Americano (1997): On Second Thought

Material Issue’s ‘Telecommando Americano’ was completed early in 1996, but wasn’t released until after Jim Ellison took his life – making for a rather bittersweet affair.

‘Weekly Standard’ Fails in Pitting Yes Against the Replacements

‘Weekly Standard’ Fails in Pitting Yes Against the Replacements

Mike Tiano calls out ‘Weekly Standard’ columnist Ike Brannon for a misleading piece on Yes, the Replacements and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Toto, “Kick Down the Walls” from Kingdom of Desire (1991): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Kick Down the Walls” from Kingdom of Desire (1991): Toto Tuesdays

Toto’s “Kick Down the Walls” isn’t a bad song. (There are no bad Toto songs.) Still, it’s almost forgettable. Here’s what went wrong.

Vinyl

Durand Jones – Durand Jones and the Indications: Deluxe Edition (2018)

A re-release of Durand Jones and the Indications’ self-titled debut seemed initially strange to me. The original is hard to improve upon.

Vinyl

I-Ten – ‘Taking a Cold Look’ (1983): Forgotten Series

Before Tom Kelly and Bill Steinberg found songwriting success with Heart, REO Speedwagon, Madonna and others, they put out an album as I-Ten.

Chicago, “Another Rainy Day in New York City” from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Another Rainy Day in New York City” from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

Robert Lamm’s cinematic “Another Rainy Day in New York City” is ruined by Peter Cetera’s worst Chicago vocal performance to date.

Vinyl

Tommy James and the Shondells – Cellophane Symphony (1969): Forgotten Series

Despite garnering great commercial rewards, Tommy James and the Shondells harbored a desire for more expressive modes of experimentation.

Billy Cobham’s Crosswinds Project, March 28, 2018: Shows I’ll Never Forget

Billy Cobham’s Crosswinds Project, March 28, 2018: Shows I’ll Never Forget

Respected for his incalculable influence on both jazz and rock, Billy Cobham is an important drummer – and one that I had never seen perform.

Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Jay Leonhart + Others: Five for the Road

Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Jay Leonhart + Others: Five for the Road

Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine and Jay Leonhart are featured in Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.