Archive for March, 2013

Vinyl

The Stay Tuned Project – Heart on Fire (2013)

In a world of ever-deepening on-demand specialization, the Stay Tuned Project brilliantly defies easy categorization. There’s rockabilly in here, blue-sky Britpop, touches of reggae, sun-drenched Beach Boys, something approaching Andrew Bird’s trembling openness You May Also Like: Chet Atkins, “Please Stay Tuned” (1985): One Track Mind

Vinyl

Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, Rick Springfield, others – Sound City: Real To Reel (2013)

Dave Grohl’s soundtrack to his passionately crafted film about Los Angeles’ Sound City recording studio is just as lovingly constructed, with just as many smart insights. Grohl teases out tough new performances from unlikely sources You May Also Like: How Dave Grohl Surprised Everybody With That Paul McCartney Collaboration HowRead More

Vinyl

Benoit Delbecq and Fred Hersch Double Trio – Fun House (2013)

King Crimson, of all things, was the ensemble that first demonstrated (to the wider public, at least) the greater possibilities introduced by a double trio. And now, a Frenchman and an American extend this thrilling concept into jazz. You May Also Like: Illegal Crowns [Tomas Fujiwara, Mary Halvorson, Taylor HoRead More

Vinyl

On the Abe Ovadia Trio, and the never-ending search for John Coltrane’s fiery intensity

Whenever I go to a live music event my hope is to get completely absorbed and immersed within the music. I find that the musicians who do this most for me are not the ones who show off their mastery of the language or technical proficiency. You May Also Like:Read More

Vinyl

The Friday Morning Listen: Tom Waits – Mule Variations (1999)

Things are looking up around here, so they say. Something good must be happening because one of the highways I drive on is so often clogged with traffic that I can catch up on my reading over the course of the crawling ten-mile traverse. You May Also Like: How TomRead More

Vinyl

Eric Clapton – Old Sock (2013)

Like 461 Ocean Boulevard, but with better singing, Eric Clapton’s Old Sock is similarly thin on original songs, swerves into an amiable island-inflected vibe, and never gets too far outside of its super-mellow box. You May Also Like: How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for BritishRead More

'We still have that chemistry': Sammy Hagar, remaining members of Montrose reunite in studio

‘We still have that chemistry’: Sammy Hagar, remaining members of Montrose reunite in studio

A year ago this week, Ronnie Montrose took his own life after a lengthy battle with cancer. What better tribute could there be to the legacy he left behind than new music from his namesake band? You May Also Like: No related posts.

Vinyl

‘Tangerine Dream will not be sailing’: Cruise to the Edge changes lineup after Edgar Froese’s nasty fall

Tangerine Dream has pulled out of Yes’ Cruise to the Edge, just weeks before its March 25, 2013 launch, after band founder Edgar Froese was injured in a nasty fall. Froese broke his hand and his jaw in the mishap, leading to surgery. You May Also Like: Neal Morse onRead More

Vinyl

‘What’s the point of making a new CD?’: Journey is at a crossroads after Eclipse stiffs

Journey’s most recent release, 2011’s heavy-rocking Eclipse, debuted at No. 13 in the U.S. — but keyboardist Jonathan Cain says sales quickly fell off afterward. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Vinyl

Joshua Kwassman – Songs Of The Brother Spirit (2013)

An ambitious project for a first timer, multi-reedist, composer and bandleader Joshua Kwassman made Songs Of The Brother Spirit from a set of intricately scored music based on some reflections on his young life You May Also Like: Mabel Greer’s Toyshop, “Big Brother, Little Brother” (2016): One Track Mind HowRead More