Archive for March, 2015

James Taylor's 'Mud Slide Slim' Was a Huge Hit, and a Comfy Return

James Taylor’s ‘Mud Slide Slim’ Was a Huge Hit, and a Comfy Return

Released on March 16, 1971, the instantly familiar ‘Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon’ meant James Taylor wouldn’t go down as a one-shot wonder.

Vinyl

Ben Craven, “Revenge of Dr. Komodo” from Last Chance to Hear (2015): One Track Mind

Ben Craven would describe himself as a cinematic progressive-rock singer songwriter. But “Revenge Of Dr. Komodo” doesn’t quite fit that description.

Vinyl

John Wetton, Geoff Downes say success nearly killed Asia: ‘The pressure got to some of us’

Released this week in 1982, ‘Asia’ heralded a sure-fire supergroup. By 1983, they’d split. John Wetton and Geoff Downes tell us what went wrong.

Vinyl

Smokin’ Joe Kubek + Bnois King, “Cornbread” from Fat Man’s Shine Parlor (2015)

There’s a blessedly long list of food-based blues. Add Dallas-based Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King’s “Cornbread” to that lip-smacking list.

Vinyl

Remembering Mike Porcaro, late bassist with Toto: ‘One of the greatest musicians and finest men I’ve ever known’

Mike Porcaro, the Toto bassist who died today after a battle with ALS, is remembered by Steve Porcaro, David Hungate and Steve Lukather.

Vinyl

The Thing – Garage (2004; 2015 vinyl reissue)

These sessions may have been recorded more than a decade ago, but the Thing’s ‘Garage’ is still one of the best albums I have heard this year.

For Mickey Thomas, Starship's "Sara" still holds haunting mysteries: 'An audiophile song'

For Mickey Thomas, Starship’s “Sara” still holds haunting mysteries: ‘An audiophile song’

Released on March 15, 1986, “Sara” was the second of three clustered, mid-1980s No. 1 hit singles for Starship — but one that’s held up much better.

Vinyl

Ross Hammond, “You Are My Sunshine,” from Flight (2015): Something Else! exclusive stream

Ross Hammond’s bare interpretation of “You Are My Sunshine” is an intimacy that comes from stark simplicity.

Kiss' fussy and overwrought Destroyer tried to out think itself

Kiss’ fussy and overwrought Destroyer tried to out think itself

Kiss’ ‘Destroyer’ found producer Bob Ezrin at his too-busy worst. Kiss is (or it should be) too visceral for that.

Meet 'The Wrecking Crew': Largely anonymous studio geniuses behind countless hits

Meet ‘The Wrecking Crew’: Largely anonymous studio geniuses behind countless hits

‘The Wrecking Crew’ is an intriguing look at the typically anonymous musicians who helped complete so many hits of the Baby Boomer era.