Archive for May, 2013

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Moody Blues, “Gemini Dream” from Live at Montreux (2013)

While much has rightly been made of the Moody Blues’ prog-defining successes around the turn of the 1970s, a newly released concert performance contextualizes later hits like this one — which in its own way broke new ground. You May Also Like: The Moody Blues – ‘Sur la mer’ (1988):Read More

Forgotten series: Dragon - Body and the Beat (1984)

Forgotten series: Dragon – Body and the Beat (1984)

Few CDs scream summer to me the way most of the albums Dragon released in the 1980s do. I’d argue that no other band captured the overall atmosphere and spirit of summer in musical form the way Dragon did. You May Also Like: Dragon – ‘O Zambezi’ (1978): Antipodean AprilRead More

Vinyl

‘It makes you want to be great’: Brad Wilk enthuses about Black Sabbath’s loose, fun reunion

Brad Wilk, who was plucked out of Rage Against the Machine by producer Rick Rubin, has come to think of his time playing drums on the forthcoming Black Sabbath reunion project in almost mythical terms. You May Also Like: Why Black Sabbath Went Out on a High Note With ’13’Read More

Vinyl

Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck – The White House Sessions (2013)

If there’s any question as to how off-the-cuff, how gloriously in the moment, this ultra-rare one-off concert collaboration in fact was, one need only hear the lead tune — a fizzy, improv-filled take on “Lullaby of Birdland.” You May Also Like: Jazz Reedist Daniel Bennett on How Musicians Can ThriveRead More

Vinyl

Mike Love takes a long view on the Beach Boys’ ups and downs: ‘All of that is a natural cycle’

Mike Love, a founding member of the Beach Boys and the only one to have appeared in all of its many incarnations over the decades, tends to take the long view on their legacy. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Steely Dan Sunday, "Josie [Live]" (1995)

Steely Dan Sunday, “Josie [Live]” (1995)

<<< BACKWARD (“Reelin’ In The Years [Live]”) ||| ONWARD (“Book Of Liars [Live]”) >>> *** STEELY DAN SUNDAY INDEX *** The first of three Aja songs on Alive In America finally appears five tracks in, the brilliant yet fun party tune that caps that classic album, “Josie.” You May AlsoRead More

Vinyl

Deep Beatles: Paul McCartney, “Bluebird” from Rockshow (1976)

Sellout crowds. Onstage marriage proposals. Grasshopper infestations. Paul McCartney’s latest world tour has been eventful, finding him presiding over a successful marriage proposal and fending off insects pelting him as he performs “Hey Jude.” You May Also Like: ‘Wings Over America’ Remains a Pinnacle for Paul McCartney, Warts and AllRead More

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Hank III and David Allan Coe, “The Outlaw Ways” (2013)

A collaboration between Hank III and David Allan Coe has been long talked about and hinted at by III, something that’s been met with a great deal of excitement by both camps of fans. It’s finally here You May Also Like: David Garfield, “Sir Charles” from ‘Stretchin’ Outside the Box’Read More

Vinyl

PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (2011)

Let England Shake is a masterpiece, battlefield correspondence from the frontline of the human heart. Apparently, the Imperial War Museum in London agreed. You May Also Like: The Everly Brothers – Two Yanks in England (1966): Forgotten Series

Vinyl

‘Not too rehashed or too thought out’: Classic-era Santana reunion could arrive as soon as 2014

Neal Schon has his own opinions about how a planned reunion of the early 1970s lineup of Santana should unfold. He wants to return to the loose, improvisational feel of their classic collaboration Santana III. You May Also Like: No related posts.