Archive for November, 2015

Vinyl

Heart, Sept. 17, 2015: Shows I’ll Never Forget

This was an excellent night for rock ‘n roll, which saw Ann Wilson in near-perfect voice, so key to Heart hitting its stride in concert.

Vinyl

The Byrds’ Turn! Turn! Turn! offered a message of hope in troubled times

50 years ago, ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ captured both the political and musical climate of the era – even as it confirmed the Byrds’ ascension.

Genesis, "No Son of Mine" from We Can't Dance (1991): One Track Mind

Genesis, “No Son of Mine” from We Can’t Dance (1991): One Track Mind

Genesis’ “No Son of Mine,” released on Nov. 11, 1991 as part of ‘We Can’t Dance,’ couldn’t have been more different than “The Living Years.”

Vinyl

The Spike Orchestra – Cerberus (2015)

‘Cerberus’ is part of the Masada project orchestrated by John Zorn, this time with considerable help from the deliriously talented Spike Orchestra.

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Sensational Alex Harvey Band – Tomorrow Belongs to Me (1975): Forgotten Series

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, one of the great lost rock ‘n’ roll acts of the ’70s, hit a peak moment some 40 years ago.

Vinyl

Huntertones – Huntertones (2015, EP)

The name has changed but the product is basically the same. They didn’t mess with a good thing, so there’s a lot to recommend about ‘Huntertones.’

Lee Dorsey - Yes We Can (1970): On Second Thought

Lee Dorsey – Yes We Can (1970): On Second Thought

When I think of the genius of the late, great Allen Toussaint, I think of the masterpiece he made with Lee Dorsey in 1970.

Vinyl

Jeff Crosby – Waking Days (2015)

‘Waking Days’ is Jeff Crosby’s best thus far and one of the best singer-songwriter albums you’re likely to come across this year.

Yes, "I've Seen All Good People" from The Yes Album (1971): YESterdays

Yes, “I’ve Seen All Good People” from The Yes Album (1971): YESterdays

Yes’ “I’ve Seen All Good People” uses a number of elements not commonly found in rock. But it all comes together to form an unlikely masterpiece.

Vinyl

A side-stage Svengali, Allen Toussaint found musical salvation in Katrina

Allen Toussaint, who has died at 77, was always content to work behind the scenes – until a devastating storm swept him from New Orleans.