Archive for November, 2018

Lisa Germano’s ‘Happiness’ Broke Out of the John Mellencamp Roots Rut

Lisa Germano’s ‘Happiness’ Broke Out of the John Mellencamp Roots Rut

Issued 25 years ago, Lisa Germano’s darkly intriguing debut made it clear that she had always been more than simply an accompanist.

‘Yesterday and Today: A 50th Anniversary Tribute to Yes’ (2018)

‘Yesterday and Today: A 50th Anniversary Tribute to Yes’ (2018)

At its best, ‘Yesterday and Today: The Yes 50th Anniversary Album’ isn’t just a recreation of the originals; it’s an imaginative retelling.

Gerry Rafferty’s Reverie on ‘City to City’ Always Takes Me Back

Gerry Rafferty’s Reverie on ‘City to City’ Always Takes Me Back

Forty years ago, Gerry Rafferty’s most famous album offered a lasting sense of rebirth, even if the former Stealers Wheel frontman never found it himself.

Vinyl

Donny McCaslin – ‘Blow’ (2018)

This album seems to have brought Donny McCaslin to a decision point: Is he a jazz player, an improviser or a rock / pop / stage show player?

Yes, “That, That Is” from ‘Keys to Ascension’ (1996): YESterdays

Yes, “That, That Is” from ‘Keys to Ascension’ (1996): YESterdays

If this had been included on an album of all-new material, rather than on a hybrid studio/live Yes project, perhaps it would have garnered more recognition.

When Miles Davis Finally Looked Back on ‘Miles and Quincy: Live at Montreux’

When Miles Davis Finally Looked Back on ‘Miles and Quincy: Live at Montreux’

‘Miles and Quincy: Live at Montreux’ arrived 25 years ago as an unexpected celebration of Miles Davis’ fertile relationship with Gil Evans.

Vinyl

Harriet Tubman – ‘The Terror End of Beauty’ (2018)

Harriet Tubman continues with the lofty ideas found on 2017’s ‘Araminta,’ and one ups it with deeper experimentations into rhythms.

Vinyl

Jon Larsen Did a Twist on Frank Zappa With ‘The Jimmy Carl Black Story’

On this date 10 years ago, Jon Larsen set out to put Zappa drummer Jimmy Carl Black back in the spotlight not just a musician, but as a person.

Vinyl

Jeremy – ‘Dulcimer Dance’ (2018)

Jeremy Morris embraces another wide array of sonic expressions on his latest inspired endeavor, ‘Dulcimer Dance.’

Paul McCartney Found Collaborative, First-Take Genius Again With ‘Electric Arguments’

Paul McCartney Found Collaborative, First-Take Genius Again With ‘Electric Arguments’

Set free from the boundaries of his own fame, Paul McCartney flourished on the Fireman’s ‘Electric Arguments,’ issued 10 years ago today.