Archive for June, 2015

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Paul McCartney’s Buried Treasures: “A Love For You,” “Secret Friend,” “Girls School” + others

Bill DeYoung explored largely forgotten projects from 1971-1989 in search of 10 favorite little-known Paul McCartney songs.

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Jeff Lorber + Chuck Loeb, with Everette Harp, Rick Braun, et. al – Bop (2015)

Here is a review of ‘Bop,’ led by Jeff Lorber and Chuck Loeb, featuring a who’s who of contemporary jazz artists playing the bebop jazz that inspired them.

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Carl Hall – You Don’t Know Nothing About Love (2015)

Lost R&B legend Carl Hall gives each performance a gospel-infused, four-octave charge. And yet he somehow remains stubbornly obscure.

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Hall and Oates were reinvigorated by a down period: ‘We revamped our entire approach’

Once on a seemingly unstoppable roll, Hall and Oates became mired in a lengthy dry spell. John Oates says it’s the best thing that could have happened.

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China Crisis – Autumn in the Neighbourhood (2015)

China Crisis could have celebrated the 30th anniversary of 1985’s ‘Flaunt the Imperfection’ with a reissue. Instead, they did something new and exciting.

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‘Psychedelic Bubble Gum: Boyce & Hart, the Monkees, and Turning Mayhem into Miracles’ (2015): Books

Bobby Hart rose to fame with Tommy Boyce as part of the songwriting team behind the Monkees. But there was more to the story.

Toto, “Angela” from Toto (1978): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Angela” from Toto (1978): Toto Tuesdays

“Angela,” a song of shifting moods and layered musical complexity, puts the exclamation point on Toto’s bold debut album.

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James Cotton, Shemekia Copeland, Gary Clark Jr. + others – Muddy Waters 100 (2015)

The forthcoming centennial tribute ‘Muddy Waters 100’ finds a series of guest stars adding new dimension to his stirring blues legacy.

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Dire Straits’ typically overlooked Communique is an understated gem

Dire Straits’ ‘Communique,’ released on June 15, 1979, caught my ear much later – but it only confirmed Mark Knopfler’s genius.

In defense of Roger Waters’ oft-derided, over-the-top Radio K.A.O.S.

In defense of Roger Waters’ oft-derided, over-the-top Radio K.A.O.S.

Roger Waters’ ‘Radio K.A.O.S,’ released on June 15, 1987, was defined by a tangled narrative and plasticine production. Here’s why we like it, anyway.