Archive for July, 2015

Vinyl

The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco, “Clean Break” (2014): One Track Mind

The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco blissfully combines the jazzy intellect of Steely Dan, the sharp wit of 10cc and the irresistible power pop of Squeeze. “Clean Break” is a lost track from ‘Pretzel Logic’.

Vinyl

Satoko Fujii Tobira – Yamiyo Ni Karasu (2015)

With ‘Yamiyo Ni Karasu’, the transition from ma-do to Satoko Fujii’s exciting new quartet Tobira becomes complete.

Yes, "Everydays" from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Yes, “Everydays” from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Talk about a buzz kill. Yes’ cover of Stephen Stills’ “Everydays,” though situated between two of their best early songs, just doesn’t work.

Vinyl

Solitaire Miles, “Ghost Riders in the Sky” from ‘Susie Blue and the Lonesome Fellas’ (2015)

Given Solitaire Miles’ musical education, her Susie Blue persona may come as a surprise to some, but it is hardly a lark – and this proves it.

Vinyl

Ringo Starr’s ‘She’s About a Mover,’ ‘Harry’s Song,’ ‘Walk with You’ + others: Deep Cuts

Born on July 7, 1940, Ringo Starr solo career was (finally!) recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Let’s drill down a little further.

Vinyl

Greg Lake picks his favorite Emerson Lake and Palmer album: ‘Where it all comes together’

Emerson Lake and Palmer put out nine studio efforts, but there’s one Greg Lake keeps coming back to – the one that arrived just as ELP “grew up.”

Vinyl

Tommy Tutone – Tommy Tutone 2 (1981): On Second Thought

There’s no denying that Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309/Jenny” is the strongest track here, but ‘Tommy Tutone 2’ had more than that that going for it.

Jeff Lynne's Armchair Theatre started with an impossible-to-match bang

Jeff Lynne’s Armchair Theatre started with an impossible-to-match bang

Jeff Lynne’s ‘Armchair Theatre,’ released this month in 1990, struggled to live up to its opening track’s promise – but often charmed us, anyway.

Vinyl

Harvie S and Sheryl Bailey – Plucky Strum (2015)

Bassist Harvie S and guitarist Sheryl Bailey’s ‘Plucky Strum’ shows how chops can be played unselfishly to make the other musician — and the music itself — sound at its best.

Vinyl

Rock Candy Funk Party, “Don’t Be Stingy with the SMPTE” (2015): Something Else! sneak peak

Tal Bergman, Joe Bonamassa and the rest of the Rock Candy Funk Party gang are back with a new, hard-groovin’ song “Don’t Be Stingy With the SMPTE.”