Issued 25 years ago, ‘Rock Music Machine’ was the first of just three mid ’90s-era releases from Adam’s Farm.

I’ve seen concerts with skilled musicianship, but for the total package – spectacle, performance and passion – Iron Maiden can’t be beat.

I can, without a doubt, say Gloryhammer’s recent stop in Dallas was one of the favorite concert experiences of my life.

If you pull your kid out of school and drive five hours to see Alestorm and Gloryhammer at a club, you may have a metal problem. It was more than worth it.

A few years back the fusion guitarist Mark Lettieri put forward an EP that was all killer/no filler. Three years later, he’s back You May Also Like: Jeff Lorber Fusion – ‘The Drop’ (2023) Mary Halvorson Octet – Away With You (2016)

There’s a blessedly long list of food-based blues. Add Dallas-based Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King’s “Cornbread” to that lip-smacking list.

Daring but not self indulgent, this double album would be a risk in lesser hands.

If you were worried that frontman Rhett Miller might ease into a middle-aged softness as Old 97’s entered its third decade, this unhinged drinking song of an advance track from the forthcoming, apparently well-titled Most Messed Up sets all of that to rest. You May Also Like: Boz Scaggs +Read More

Van Halen-inspired and jazz-trained guitarslinger Noel Johnston merges his passion for both worlds for his third album Salted Coffee, out March 11, 2014 via Armored Records. You May Also Like: Butcher Brown – The Healer (2017) Mark Lettieri – Spark And Echo (2016) Oz Noy – ‘Booga Looga Loo’ (2019)

Jimmie Vaughan, co-founding guitarist of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, has suffered a heart attack and will be off the road for as long as a month. You May Also Like: Murali Coryell – Mr. Senator (2016) Royal Southern Brotherhood – The Royal GospelRead More