Archive for March, 2015

Vinyl

Does Steve Cropper ever grow weary of his most familiar hits?: ‘Some guys don’t like to do the same thing’

Steve Cropper has been playing “Midnight Hour,” “Green Onions” and “Soul Man” for decades. It’d be understandable if he became tired of them.

Vinyl

Backstage at ‘The Last Waltz’: ‘It Was So Exciting, Very Exciting’

Pattie Boyd gives fans an exclusive peek into the rehearsals for ‘The Last Waltz’ concert by the Band, saying “it was so exciting, very exciting.”

Vinyl

Marc Cary – Rhodes Ahead Vol. 2 (2015)

Here’s a review of Marc Cary’s next album, the eclectic/electric ‘Rhodes Ahead Vol. 2,’ a multi-ethnic fusion affair that reveals the Fender Rhodes’ possibilities.

Is Toto XIV the band's swansong?: 'It just wrings you out'

Is Toto XIV the band’s swansong?: ‘It just wrings you out’

Songs like “Burn” show how well Toto operated creatively on ‘Toto XIV.’ So why does David Paich say it might be their last album?

Vinyl

Ringo Starr, “Postcards From Paradise” from Postcards From Paradise (2015): One Track Mind

Ringo Starr has always loved reanimating his storied past in song, but rarely has he hit on such a winning combination of whimsy and memory.

Vinyl

Tim & Caio – In Brazil (2015)

Here is a review of Tim & Caio’s wonderful world music concoction ‘In Brazil’, and strong set of nimble, catchy tunes due out March 10.

Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith: 30th Anniversary Edition (1984; 2015 reissue)

Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith: 30th Anniversary Edition (1984; 2015 reissue)

Judas Priest’s ‘British Steel’ and ‘Screaming for Vengeance’ get the praise, but a new reissue of ‘Defenders of the Faith’ shows it’s their equal.

Beth Hart, "Mechanical Heart" from Better Than Home (2015): One Track Mind

Beth Hart, “Mechanical Heart” from Better Than Home (2015): One Track Mind

Presented from the start as a next-gen Janis Joplin, Beth Hart has a well-earned reputation as a whiskey barrel-busting belter. This isn’t that.

Vinyl

Jerry Woods – Clearly EP (2014)

Newcomer Jerry Woods’ phrasing and inflection, mirroring moments ranging from latter-day Beatles to Todd Rundgren, are lively and commanding.

Yes, "I See You" from Yes (1969): YESterdays

Yes, “I See You” from Yes (1969): YESterdays

“I See You” hints at the wide-screen experimentation to come for Yes, though in this early incarnation they tend more to psychedelia than prog.