Los Lobos’ ‘Kiko’ Was a Mysterious, Completely Transfixing Triumph
Released on May 26, 1992, ‘Kiko’ is still, by any measure, Los Lobos’ most unusual album. That’s what lures me back, again and again.
Archive for May, 2015
Often-Forgotten ‘David Gilmour’ Was Pink Floyd Leader’s Most Varied Solo Effort
Released on May 25, 1978, ‘David Gilmour’ is a complete solo statement, refreshing in that it’s not trying too hard to sound like Pink Floyd.
The Aristocrats, “Culture Clash” (2013): One Track Mind
The Aristocrats’ versatility, power and instrumental prowess may be best heard on the title track from 2013’s ‘Culture Clash.’
Ronnie James Dio moved into the spotlight with the dark, uplifting Holy Diver
‘Holy Diver, released on May 25, 1983, found Ronnie James Dio setting a new course after work with Rainbow and Black Sabbath.
Warren Haynes, “Spots of Time” from Ashes and Dust (2015): One Track Mind
Free of the expectations surrounding the Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes emerges with a sound both familiar and new.
In a surprise, Def Leppard rekindled their classic-era sound with covers-focused Yeah!
When Def Leppard released a covers album on May 23, 2006, I didn’t expect to like it. This must clearly be a band on the verge of calling it quits, right?
Joe Ely, May 23, 2015: Shows I’ll Never Forget
Rivers, highways, coyotes, border crossings, and the wide night sky all played a part in Joe Ely’s resonant Lone Star travelogue.
Free-form Monkees humor once drove Hollywood legend to curse: ‘I hate these f–ing kids’
The Monkees TV show was designed toward improvisation. But not every guest star meshed with the Monkees’ gonzo approach.
Spirit – The Best of Spirit (1973): On Second Thought
Spirit, featuring Jay Ferguson, Randy California and Ed Cassidy, may have been risk takers – but there’s no denying the band had an ear for melody.
Henry Threadgill Zooid – In For a Penny, In For a Pound (2015)
Working in mysterious ways with his Zooid quintet, Henry Threadgill offers another installment of ingenuity on ‘In For a Penny, In For a Pound.’
