Donald Fagen and the Nightflyers, Aug. 16, 2017: Shows I’ll Never Forget
Now on tour with a crack new band, Donald Fagen must choose which songs to perform from his extensive catalog. It’s a good problem to have.
Archive for August, 2017
Brad Cheeseman – The Tide Turns (2017)
Proving again that contemporary jazz doesn’t necessarily equate to smooth jazz, Brad Cheeseman Group’s ‘The Tide Turns’ is another solid set of tracks from Cheeseman where real work is put in from conception to execution.
What I Learned From Elvis Presley: An Appreciation
As a kid in the ’60s, Elvis Presley’s hit-making era was dim and distant. Blame the Beatles. Blame Oswald. Blame television. But it was true.
Toto, “A Thousand Years” from The Seventh One (1988): Toto Tuesdays
“A Thousand Years” offered a glimpse into Toto’s growth and aspirations, as they began the run home on 1988’s ‘The Seventh One.’
Vijay Iyer Sextet – Far From Over (2017)
By not limiting himself within a narrow concept and exploiting a multiple of possibilities presented by the larger sextet, Vijay Iyer’s variety of tactics benefit ‘Far From Over,’ making this an insightful window into his wide-ranging capabilities.
Chicago, “Happy Man” from Chicago VII (1974): Saturdays in the Park
“Happy Man’ is the least-bombastic vocal Peter Cetera ever recorded with Chicago, and I’m including “If You Leave Me Now.”
The Beatles, “For No One” from ‘Revolver’ (1966): Deep Beatles
“Why Did It Die?” The Beatles did not write and record a song with that title — right? In truth, they did.
Glen Campbell (1936-2017): An Appreciation
I didn’t get decked, and I did ask Glen Campbell to sign my album.
Yes, Aug. 7, 2017: Shows I’ll Never Forget
Was the performance at the YEStival in Baltimore epic? The answer is Yes!
Sam Boshnack Quintet – Nellie Bly Project (2017)
Just as Nellie Bly was able to show what a woman is capable of when gender barriers are confronted or outright ignored, Sam Boshnack is an example of a growing number of women leading a resurgence of creativity in jazz.
