Archive for November, 2011

Vinyl

Half Notes: Evan Cobb – Falling Up (2011)

Evan Cobb’s sleekly confident Falling Up, set for release on Nov. 29, punches a gaping hole in the old saw about educators. You know the one that goes: “Those who can, do; those who can not, teach.” That’s perhaps best heard on “Eastern Bell Feel,” a hip update of theRead More

Vinyl

Craig Taborn – Junk Magic (2004)

With Junk Magic, Craig Taborn issued another slab of envelope-pushing jazz — carrying on with the forward-looking theme of the Blue Series. You May Also Like: Craig Taborn’s Junk Magic – ‘Compass Confusion’ (2020) Tim Berne’s Hardcell [Berne, Craig Taborn + Tom Rainey] – ‘Sensitive’ (2021) Steve Lehman Trio +Read More

Vinyl

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, "Born to Run" (1975)

You could make an argument that words have been maxed out for “Born To Run,” that everything has been said and there’s nothing new to be gleaned. Yeah well, people have notoriously small imaginations too You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E StreetRead More

Vinyl

Yes – In The Present: Live From Lyon (2011)

There was at least one benefit to the departure of Jon Anderson from Yes in 2008.

Vinyl

Superdrag – Last Call for Vitriol (2002)

Details magazine editor Bart Blasengame once claimed that “if you don’t like Superdrag, you don’t like rock n’ roll.” It said that right on the sticker on the cover this album. You May Also Like: Toto, “Living For the City” from ‘Through the Looking Glass’ (2002): Toto Tuesdays Rita CoolidgeRead More

Vinyl

Steely Dan Sunday, "Chain Lightning" (1975)

Though those days were numbered by the time of Katy Lied, Steely Dan liked the occasional break on their records from the ceberal arty jazz-rock of their preference and just jam out with some simpler, blues-based ditty. You May Also Like: Five Deep Cuts Underscore the Overlooked Brilliance of SteelyRead More

Vinyl

Pat Martino – Remember: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery (2006)

Here are a couple of stories. One is amazing and funny. The other is just amazing. You May Also Like: Wes Montgomery – ‘The Complete Full House Recordings’ (2023) Wes Montgomery with the Wynton Kelly Trio – Smokin’ in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse (1966) (2017)

Vinyl

Tony Jones – Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness (2011)

I’m a sucker for odd instrumentations, which is one of the reasons why I’m drawn to progressive and whack jazz. Listening to strange timbres that come from instruments coming together that aren’t usually combined tends to perk my ears up, trying to solve the puzzle of the sonic conundrum. ItRead More

Vinyl

Bill Dixon – Bill Dixon with the Exploding Star Orchestra (2008)

I had this discussion about jazz with a friend of mine once. He really couldn’t deal the sound of a full-bore, large-scale ensemble You May Also Like: Rob Dixon Trio, with Charlie Hunter and Mike Clark – Coast To Crossroads (2018) Rob Mazurek & Exploding Star Orchestra – ‘Lightning Dreamers’Read More

Vinyl

Half Notes: Keith Jarrett – Bop-be (1977)

The time will come when architects and engineers will be summoned to my house to shore up the floor beneath my Keith Jarrett collection. Not yet though. A favorite items is my sealed copy of Bop-Be, a session covering the music of Jarrett, Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman and Alec Wilder.Read More