It’s a given that show tunes and Tin Pan Alley songs have provided plenty of fodder for jazz interpretations, especially in the decades before there were enough quality standards written specifically for jazz to fill up a fake book. You May Also Like: Why Keith Jarrett’s Reunion With Charlie HadenRead More

Formed in 1964, the Beau Brummels were not only America’s first successful response to the British Invasion that changed the entire complexion of pop music that historic year, but they were also the first successful rock group from San Francisco, California. Most people tend to believe the City by theRead More

Bruce’s relationship with his father, described elliptically with Biblical imagery and tense, angry music. When I first heard Darkness, the LoudGuitarNerd™ in me totally dug the distorted guitar lines that this song is built around. You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E StreetRead More

This album is a musical security blanket of sorts. Actually, that’s how I feel about Greg Brown’s music in general, even the really ugly stuff. Oh yes, there is ugly stuff. You May Also Like: Greg Brown’s ‘In the Hills of California’ Finally Reproduced His Nervy Live Sound Greg ‘Stackhouse’Read More

“Don’t Take Me Alive” is one of last of Steely Dan’s songs that’s truly “rock,” and the narrator’s portrayal as a deranged killer daring the cops to take him out also makes it one of Becker and Fagen’s least ambiguous songs. You May Also Like: Steely Dan, “Kid Charlemagne” fromRead More