Archive for February, 2014

Vinyl

Something Else! sneak peek: Tommy Malone, “You May Laugh” from Poor Boy (2014)

Tommy Malone might forever be known as a founder and frontman for the widely admired subdudes, but as he reminded us last year with his first solo effort in ages, Natural Born Days, You May Also Like: No related posts.

Vinyl

‘As long as it was a great song’: Journey vet previews second album with the Sky

Robert Fleischman played a critical role in the history of Journey, even if he ultimately gave up the job of frontman to Steve Perry for 1978’s Infinity. Over the course of the previous fall, he co-wrote three key tracks for that album — including “Anytime” and “Wheel in the Sky”Read More

Vinyl

Wanja Slavin – For Very Sad and Very Tired Lotus Eaters (2014)

Very Sad begins with a melancholy moment, as Wanja Slavin unfurls these lengthy, enveloping lines on the alto over a stark figure from pianist Rainer Bohm. You May Also Like: ElectroBluesSociety feat. Boo Boo Davis, “It’s a Sad Thing” (2021): One Track Mind Jonny Lang – Signs (2017)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, "80/81 " (1980)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “80/81 ” (1980)

Even though Bright Size Life contains a lot of elements of traditional jazz, it wasn’t until Metheny brought saxophones to the mix that it felt as though his version of the tradition was being presented. You May Also Like: How ‘Wish’ Scuffed Up Joshua Redman’s Initial Melodicism Pat Metheny, MayRead More

Vinyl

Joe Louis Walker – Hornet’s Nest (2014)

It’s a time of consolidation for Joe Louis Walker, an attacking blues guitarist who has, forever it seemed, been the best modern player to never get his due. That changed in a big way with 2012’s aptly named Alligator debut, Hellfire. You May Also Like: Seth Walker – ‘Are YouRead More

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‘You know how it is with brothers’: Inside the life-long friendship that is Hall and Oates

Hall and Oates will gather again for another round of tour dates later this month, reuniting after a period that’s seen John Oates issue a series of solo songs and Daryl Hall return with a new season of Live from Daryl’s House. That time apart, if anything, seems to strengthenRead More

Deep Beatles: "Cry Baby Cry" from The Beatles (1968)

Deep Beatles: “Cry Baby Cry” from The Beatles (1968)

John Lennon may have called it “a piece of rubbish,” but “Cry Baby Cry” symbolizes one of Lennon’s more underrated compositions. Written while in India, “Cry Baby Cry” serves as a twisted nursery rhyme, and he would return to the motif years later on Double Fantasy’s “Cleanup Time.” The 1968Read More

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Claire Clube and Anne Heaton – Dora (2014)

There are turning points in life that don’t announce themselves. That is, you won’t realize what has happened until long after the fact. You May Also Like: Why Patti Smith’s Resiliency Leads Me Back to ‘Easter,’ Time and Again Sam Boshnack Quintet – Nellie Bly Project (2017)

Vinyl

Matt Newton – Within Reach (2014)

Powerful pianists can often be impressive, but I’m more impressed if a pianist never has to mash the pedal to capture my ears. You May Also Like: Jeff Oster – ‘Reach’ (2018)

Vinyl

The Friday Morning Listen: Bruce Springsteen – High Hopes (2014)

Tickets for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band go on sale this morning at 10AM. You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle’