Archive for April, 2014

Vinyl

Roscoe Mitchell, with Craig Taborn and Kikanju Baku – Conversations I (2014)

Roscoe Mitchell is a revered name in improvised music circles, an out-jazz giant who is often spoken as if his great works come from so long-ago period You May Also Like: Roscoe Mitchell + Kikanju Baku – ‘Evolutionary Events’ (2023) Roscoe Mitchell – Discussions (2017) Kikanju Baku, Michael Gregory Jackson,Read More

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, "Long Time Comin" (2005)

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, “Long Time Comin” (2005)

At first listen, this sounded like the Devils & Dust odd man out. The chorus is definitely something of an outlier with its sing-song, uplifting notes. I suppose you could say that the underlying story is uplifting as well, certainly when compared with the rest of the album. You MayRead More

Vinyl

‘These are my mentors’: Van Halen’s David Lee Roth heaps praise on the Beach Boys

Turns out, David Lee Roth wanted to make a larger tribute to the Beach Boys back in February as Mike Love was recognized at the 21st annual Ella Awards. Love and Roth, of course, did a collaborative version of “California Girls.” But the Van Halen frontman had an entire unsaidRead More

Vinyl

Sample Every Song on Forthcoming ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’: ‘Just Trying to Grow the Legacy’

Chicago has announced a title, offered additional samples of its new music and revealed the cover art for its first album in eight years. Featuring 11 original tracks, Chicago XXXVI: Now finds the band in the midst of an entirely new way of creating. You May Also Like: Chicago, “IfRead More

Vinyl

Syrinx Effect – Snail Songs EP (2014)

Snail Songs by Syrinx Effect Creating soothing, soulful sounds can come from an endless combination of sources, and Seattle’s New Music duo Syrinx Effect does it with just a trombone and a soprano saxophone. You May Also Like: Syrinx Effect – A Sky You Could Strike A Match On (2018)Read More

Vinyl

‘I’m a one-man show’: Kiss’ Ace Frehley previews his new album, Space Invader

There was the long wait, the belated nomination, the vicious back biting and the surprisingly gracious induction. Now that Kiss is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, however, it’s time for Ace Frehley to get back to work on a solo album. You May Also Like: No relatedRead More

Vinyl

Peter Brendler – Outside the Line (2014)

I first encountered the savvy of Peter Brendler’s bass when sizing up Jon Irabagon’s wild, seventy-eight minute improvisation ride, Foxy (2010). You May Also Like: Tom Tallitsch – Gratitude (2016) Tom Tallitsch – Wheelhouse (2018) Kevin Eubanks – East West Time Line (2017)

Steely Dan Sunday, "Slinky Thing" (2012)

Steely Dan Sunday, “Slinky Thing” (2012)

<<< BACKWARD (“Three Picture Deal”) ||| ONWARD (“I’m Not The Same Without You”) >>> *** STEELY DAN SUNDAY INDEX *** Walter Becker’s Circus Money was released in 2008. Though there hasn’t been a Steely Dan album since 2003’s Everything Must Go, the eleven years since have proven to be theRead More

Vinyl

Jesse Winchester (1944-2014): An Appreciation

Raised on the fertile musical soil of Mississippi and Tennessee, Jesse Winchester’s career began when Robbie Robertson took him under his wing.

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Dave Mason, “Dear Mr. Fantasy” from Future’s Past (2014)

Dave Mason has returned, after too long away, to his birthright in Traffic — but, interestingly, not from the typical nostaglic perspective. Instead, he’s reworked “Dear Mr. Fantasy” as a searing blues rumination, steering the psychedelic Traffic classic in a completely different direction. You May Also Like: Dave Mason, AprilRead More