Oh, what this could have been … and yet it’s still a pleasing piece of work. My hopes were high when it was announced that the Finn brothers Neil and Tim (both ex- of Crowded House and Split Enz) new album would come out, so I was a little disappointedRead More

by Mark Saleski It can be a tough thing to witness an aging musician head toward (or past) the point of no return. You May Also Like: East Axis [Matthew Shipp, Allen Lowe, Kevin Ray + Gerald Cleaver’ – ‘Cool With That’ (2021)

On “Willie Dixon’s Gone,” one of two originals on George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ brand new 2120 South Michigan Ave. album, George sings, “rock is inside my head but blues is in my heart,” and that nicely sums up the music of his entire career. Here we are in 2011,Read More

There are these moments, throughout the fiery emotional aftermath of “Ashes Ashes,” where Katie Costello gives herself over to the lyric, and the sound is like a hot wind rushing past and out into the world. You May Also Like: No related posts.

by Mark Saleski You’ve gotta love what Branford Marsalis is all about. In today’s music industry, where creativity is mostly overlooked in favor of bottom-line issues, Branford made a break in advance of this album from his long-time record label You May Also Like: Branford Marsalis, Lucas Lee, Tim MorseRead More

When ‘News of the World’ ended its 168-year run on July 10, 2011, I can’t imagine that anyone was cheering louder than Joe Jackson.

by Mark Saleski I am shocked to say that this recording left me cold. Shocked because it’s got Abdullah Ibrahim on it! There certainly are some great moments, such as the solo piano opening track (“Green Kalahari”) and the sprightly “Mandela”; come on, the melody is played on the irresistibleRead More

I can’t even begin to pretend to be impartial here: Guitarist Mike Keneally is absolutely one of my all-time favorites. You May Also Like: Mike Keneally, “Draconian Blump” from ‘Nonkertompf’ (1999): One Track Mind How Mike Keneally’s Comeback on ‘The Universe Will Provide’ Fulfilled All of His Promise Here’s HowRead More

Listening to the guitarist Aram Bajakian is lot like listening to Marc Ribot, and Aram follows much of Ribot’s wildly divergent style that incorporates the vintage forms of swing, punk and rock and roll into a fresh and daring style. So it’s fair to state that if you like Ribot,Read More

by Derrick Lord This is an act the Rat Pack — Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. — had down to a T and it really shows. A fun slice of musical history. You May Also Like: No related posts.