Archive for December, 2020

Chicago, "Stone of Sisyphus" from 'Stone of Sisyphus' (2008): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Stone of Sisyphus” from ‘Stone of Sisyphus’ (2008): Saturdays in the Park

A title track recalling the Greek myth where Sisyphus must forever roll a huge boulder uphill perfectly described Chicago’s predicament at this point.

Dave Douglas with Melvin Gibbs, Sim Cain + Rafiq Bhatia - 'Marching Music' (2020)

Dave Douglas with Melvin Gibbs, Sim Cain + Rafiq Bhatia – ‘Marching Music’ (2020)

Dave Douglas never stops looking for new ways of getting his message out, and ‘Marching Music’ is music with a purpose that also widens Douglas’ already expansive palette.

Derek Wieland of Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Albums That Shaped My Career

Derek Wieland of Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Albums That Shaped My Career

Derek Wieland of Trans-Siberian Orchestra joins Ross Boissoneau to discuss key albums from Yes, Pink Floyd, Emerson Lake and Palmer, and Steven Wilson.

Dan Weiss Starebaby - 'Natural Selection' (2020)

Dan Weiss Starebaby – ‘Natural Selection’ (2020)

‘Natural Selection’ is an advancement of bold, rock-oriented ideas drummer Dan Weiss first put forward a couple of years ago and justifies his decision to keep going down this path.

Durbin, "The Prince of Metal" from 'The Beast Awakens' (2020): One Track Mind

Durbin, “The Prince of Metal” from ‘The Beast Awakens’ (2020): One Track Mind

Yes, Durbin came from ‘American Idol’ – and yes, I’m banging my head and throwing horns with a big, stupid grin on my face because it’s glorious.

Vinyl

Okuden (Mat Walerian, Matthew Shipp, William Parker + Hamid Drake) – ‘Every Dog Has Its Day But It Doesn’t Matter Because Fat Cat Is Getting Fatter’ (2020)

Mat Walerian’s latest Okuden project is his most ambitious yet and when you understand the sweeping, cutting-edge careers of his sidemen, you see an artist whose ambitions matches theirs.

Dean Martin, Phil Spector, Johnny Mathis + Others: 2020's Seasonal Sounds

Dean Martin, Phil Spector, Johnny Mathis + Others: 2020’s Seasonal Sounds

A new favorite arrived from Calexico amid a sleigh full of reissues of holiday classics from Dean Martin, Phil Spector, Johnny Mathis and others.

Yes, "To the Moment" from 'From a Page' (2019): YESterdays

Yes, “To the Moment” from ‘From a Page’ (2019): YESterdays

Part of a touching tribute to the late bass maestro Chris Squire, “To the Moment” kicks off an intriguing chapter in Yes history.

Firefall – 'Comet' (2020)

Firefall – ‘Comet’ (2020)

Decades after first hitting the charts, Firefall is still plying their trade with easygoing harmonies, catchy choruses and country-rock licks.

Stephanie Angelini, "Magic Christmas [The Best Time of the Year]" (2020): One Track Mind

Stephanie Angelini, “Magic Christmas [The Best Time of the Year]” (2020): One Track Mind

Just when you think you’ve had your fill of holiday songs, along comes a tune like Stephanie Angelini’s “Magic Christmas (The Best Time of the Year).”