Articles by: Nick DeRiso

How Deep Cuts on ‘Music From Big Pink’ Underscore the Band’s Triumph

How Deep Cuts on ‘Music From Big Pink’ Underscore the Band’s Triumph

Released 55 years ago this month, ‘Music From Big Pink’ included several songs that defined the Band’s legacy. Let’s dig into some lesser-known moments.

How ‘Islands’ Signaled the Sad End of the Band’s Five-Man Edition

How ‘Islands’ Signaled the Sad End of the Band’s Five-Man Edition

The Band’s original incarnation exited 45 years ago today with a pieced-together, yet still occasionally resonant final studio project.

The Band’s ‘Christmas Must Be Tonight’ Remains an Unjustly Overlooked Holiday Classic

The Band’s ‘Christmas Must Be Tonight’ Remains an Unjustly Overlooked Holiday Classic

The Band’s perhaps too ambitious “Christmas Must Be Tonight” never became the seasonal favorite it should have been.

Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Rock + Pop): Death Cab for Cutie, Joe Jackson, Toto + Others

Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Rock + Pop): Death Cab for Cutie, Joe Jackson, Toto + Others

Nick DeRiso also recognizes Steve Hackett, Bob Dylan, Neal Schon, Ringo Starr and others in this Best of 2015 list focusing on pop and rock.

Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Blues, Jazz + R&B): Boz Scaggs, Gavin Harrison, Alabama Shakes

Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Blues, Jazz + R&B): Boz Scaggs, Gavin Harrison, Alabama Shakes

Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 list for blues, jazz and R&B also included Marc Cary, Robben Ford, Dave Douglas, Papa Mali, Matthew Shipp and others.

Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Reissues + Live): John Oates, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Faces + others

Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Reissues + Live): John Oates, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Faces + others

This Best of 2015 list focuses on those revelatory moments, those times when a shard of pristine insight cuts through the clutter of expectation and then memory.

Vinyl

John Lennon, “I Found Out” from Plastic Ono Band (1970): One Track Mind

Issued on Dec. 11, 1970, ‘Plastic Ono Band’ found John Lennon confronting demons, talismans and heroes – but he never rocked harder than he does here.

Paul McCartney’s willingness to fail made Band on the Run an enduring masterpiece

Paul McCartney’s willingness to fail made Band on the Run an enduring masterpiece

‘Band on the Run,’ released on Dec. 5, 1973, pushes Paul McCartney to new places, as he incorporates every part of his pop genius.

Vinyl

Queen, “Flash” from ‘Flash Gordon’ (1980): One Track Mind

Released 35 years ago, Queen’s theme song is the best thing about a justly forgotten 1980 film called ‘Flash Gordon.’

Frank Sinatra’s Trilogy offered one final thunderous triumph

Frank Sinatra’s Trilogy offered one final thunderous triumph

Frank Sinatra would enter a studio again only a handful of times after ‘Trilogy’ arrived 35 years ago. None produced more timeless results than this.