Archive for October, 2011

Vinyl

Lydia Salnikova – Hallway (2010)

The Ballad Of Bering Strait is a documentary that chronicled the story of young Russian music students who fell under the spell of bluegrass, formed a band playing it, and struck out to America — Nashville, that is — to find their fame and fortune there. You May Also Like:Read More

Vinyl

Rudresh Mahanthappa – Samdhi (2011)

Despite his heritage, American alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa didn’t start out as a practitioner of a unique blend of American jazz and traditional Indian music, he started with the jazz style of the America he grew up in and worked his way back to the music of his forbears’ nativeRead More

Vinyl

Frank Kohl Quartet – Coast to Coast (2011)

Frank Kohl approaches the guitar with an exuberant curiosity, but also a well-crafted ability — skittering from influence to influence without ever stumbling. He sounds like he’s having a ball, too. That’s led to an album called Coast to Coast that boasts a savvy veteran player’s satisfying structural logic, butRead More

Vinyl

The Friday Morning Listen: Bjork – Biophilia (2011)

So here’s the thing: Have I ever bought a CD and/or box set just because of the cool packaging? Hmmm … probably not You May Also Like: Bjork’s Vocal-Focused ‘Medulla’ is Still Filled With Countless Surprises For the Love of Vinyl: An Appreciation James Taylor – ‘One Man Band’ (2007;Read More

Vinyl

William Shatner – Seeking Major Tom (2011)

Jesus, seriously? I have a sense of humor but this is just absolute garbage. William Shatner’s 2004 project with rock piano great Ben Folds, Has Been, was actually an entertaining diversion — tongue fully in cheek, yet it had musical merit: serious fun. This is pure junk You May AlsoRead More

Vinyl

Billy Sherwood on Toto, Paul Rodgers, John Wetton + Yes: Gimme Five

Go inside the studio as Billy Sherwood enters the complex world of Yes, and find out how he came to work with David Paich on a signature Toto release.

Vinyl

The Jigsaw Seen – Winterland (2011)

According to the calendar, winter is just around the corner. To some people that means gloomy skies, the holiday blahs, frostbite and catching colds, while to other people it means mugs of steaming hot chocolate, relaxing by the cozy fireside, beautiful snow capped scenarios and holiday cheer. No matter howRead More

Vinyl

Billy Sherwood, formerly of Yes: Something Else! Interview

Billy Sherwood talks about his original hopes for Yes, how the association initially fell apart, and how it continued to inform his subsequent work.

Vinyl

Half Notes: Kevin Crabb – Waltz for Dylan (2011)

There are couple of ways that Kevin Crabb’s all-original Waltz for Dylan could have gone wrong. Rangy saxophonist Kelly Jefferson and, in particular, pianist John Beasley (Miles Davis) might have completely overtaken this project, dedicated to the drummer’s son. Or, they might have become lost in the distracting bashing ofRead More

Vinyl

Peter Gabriel – New Blood (2011)

by Tom Johnson Somewhere out there, music fans cower in fear. The day has come again: Peter Gabriel returns with yet another album of orchestral covers! But fear not. This time he’s covering his own songs. You May Also Like: When Peter Gabriel Suddenly Decided to Open Up on ‘Us’