Gimme Five

Five Moments of Eternal Brilliance From Steely Dan’s ‘Pretzel Logic’

Five Moments of Eternal Brilliance From Steely Dan’s ‘Pretzel Logic’

Released 50 years ago today, Steely Dan’s ‘Pretzel Logic’ remains a pinnacle achievement for the premier jazz-pop rock band. Here’s a handful of reasons why.

Ringo Starr’s Top Five Interpretations of Songs by the Other Beatles

Ringo Starr’s Top Five Interpretations of Songs by the Other Beatles

Ringo Starr’s platinum-selling Top 10 smash ‘Ringo’ arrived 50 years ago with his very best interpretation of a song from a former bandmate.

Five ‘With the Beatles’ Deep Cuts That Illustrate Their Lasting Debt to R&B

Five ‘With the Beatles’ Deep Cuts That Illustrate Their Lasting Debt to R&B

Released 60 years ago this week, ‘With the Beatles’ is best known as the home for “All My Loving.” Let’s go further off this album’s beaten path.

The Best Bob Dylan Songs From the 1980s

The Best Bob Dylan Songs From the 1980s

“Silvio” arrived 35 years ago as one of Bob Dylan’s best songs from the ’80s, a period with more downs than ups. Here’s a handful of times he got it right.

Why the Band’s Overlooked ‘Moondog Matinee’ Has Become So Revealing

Why the Band’s Overlooked ‘Moondog Matinee’ Has Become So Revealing

Released 50 years ago this week, the Band’s ‘Moondog Matinee’ was unfairly criticized at the time as a career retrenchment.

Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle’

Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle’

Record buyers stayed away in droves when Bruce Springsteen’s sophomore LP arrived 50 years ago today. Here’s why it’s actually one of rock’s perfect albums.

Why Warren Zevon Shouldn’t Only Be Remembered For a Novelty Single

Why Warren Zevon Shouldn’t Only Be Remembered For a Novelty Single

By the time Warren Zevon died 20 years ago today, he’d created a discography that transcended “Werewolves of London.” Here’s a look back at five gems.

Walter Becker’s ‘Three Picture Deal,’ ‘Love in the 4th’ + Others: Gimme Five

Walter Becker’s ‘Three Picture Deal,’ ‘Love in the 4th’ + Others: Gimme Five

When Walter Becker died today in 2017, he’d already created a fantastic legacy with Steely Dan. His solo work was less heralded, but no less interesting.

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.

John Wetton, Imagine Dragons, John Barry + Others: Five Songs That Cut Me to the Core

John Wetton, Imagine Dragons, John Barry + Others: Five Songs That Cut Me to the Core

Here’s a look back at songs by John Barry, Imagine Dragons and John Wetton – both with King Crimson and as a solo artist – that stir my emotions.