Archive for January, 2021

Warren Zevon’s ‘Jeannie Needs a Shooter,’ ‘Piano Fighter’ + Others: Gimme Five

Warren Zevon’s ‘Jeannie Needs a Shooter,’ ‘Piano Fighter’ + Others: Gimme Five

Preston Frazier returns to a handful of favorites by the late Warren Zevon, who was born on this date in 1947.

Ken Sharp, “Liquid Mercury” (2021): One Track Mind

Ken Sharp, “Liquid Mercury” (2021): One Track Mind

Ken Sharp kicks off 2021 with a song expressing the fear, anger and confusion we’ve all felt as COVID-19 wreaked havoc on our lives.

Tom Tallitsch – ‘Message’ (2021)

Tom Tallitsch – ‘Message’ (2021)

In uncertain times like these, it’s nice to have the comfort of knowing that Tom Tallitsch is going to deliver on a near-annual basis that kind of jazz that made you fall in love with jazz in the first place. That’s the ‘Message’ in this music.

Pierre Bensusan – ‘Azwan’ (2020)

Pierre Bensusan – ‘Azwan’ (2020)

Like many other musicians, Pierre Bensusan’s touring plans were scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic, and he turned to creating ‘Azwan’ instead.

Branford Marsalis, Lucas Lee, Tim Morse + Others: Five for the Road

Branford Marsalis, Lucas Lee, Tim Morse + Others: Five for the Road

Branford Marsalis, Lucas Lee and Tim Morse are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.

Ivo Perelman Trio, with Matthew Shipp + Whit Dickey – ‘Garden of Jewels’ (2021)

Ivo Perelman Trio, with Matthew Shipp + Whit Dickey – ‘Garden of Jewels’ (2021)

The Ivo Perelman Trio’s ‘Garden of Jewels’ is a feast of ear food delivered with passion, fearlessness and a unity of purpose.

Toto, “Orphan” from ‘Toto XIV’ (2015): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Orphan” from ‘Toto XIV’ (2015): Toto Tuesdays

“Orphan,” the first single from 2015’s ‘Toto XIV,’ further cements Joseph Williams’ standing as the best of all Toto vocalists.

8-Bit Big Band, Ed Palermo + Others: Turns Out, Big Bands Are Still a Thing

8-Bit Big Band, Ed Palermo + Others: Turns Out, Big Bands Are Still a Thing

Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington may have shuffled off this mortal coil, but Ed Palermo and 8-Bit Big Band are among those proving this sound isn’t dead yet.

Richard Turgeon, “Goodbye to Summer” (2020): One Track Mind

Richard Turgeon, “Goodbye to Summer” (2020): One Track Mind

San Francisco Bay-area standout Richard Turgeon really should be a household name at this point. Perhaps “Goodbye to Summer” will do the trick.

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

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

Put simply, “Mah-Jong” wouldn’t have worked on anything Chicago put out between 1982’s ’16’ and 1991’s ‘Twenty 1.’ But it fits in perfectly here.