Archive for November, 2021

Yes, “Damaged World” from ‘The Quest’ (2021): YESterdays

Yes, “Damaged World” from ‘The Quest’ (2021): YESterdays

This track fits well on an album where Yes attempts to find some sense of purpose in a world beset by climate change and COVID. So why’d they leave it off?

How Johnny Cash’s ‘Hundred Highways’ Kept Adding to His Remarkable Legacy

How Johnny Cash’s ‘Hundred Highways’ Kept Adding to His Remarkable Legacy

The first posthumous Johnny Cash LP arrived 15 years ago with plenty of harsh truths, but ‘A Hundred Highways’ never forgot the simple pleasures either.

Donald Fagen, “The Goodbye Look” from ‘The Nightfly Live’ (2021):  Steely Dan Sunday

Donald Fagen, “The Goodbye Look” from ‘The Nightfly Live’ (2021): Steely Dan Sunday

Unfortunately, “The Goodbye Look” from Donald Fagen’s ‘The Nightfly Live’ just tries too hard to recreate perfection.

Chicago, “Better” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Better” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Like so many goodbyes, nobody knew “Better” would represent Bill Champlin’s last released original recording with Chicago.

Kasim Sulton on Todd Rundgren, Utopia and Going Virtual: Something Else! Interview

Kasim Sulton on Todd Rundgren, Utopia and Going Virtual: Something Else! Interview

Between the studio and the road, Kasim Sulton is typically playing and singing somewhere with someone – then the pandemic scuttled most of his plans.

Thanksgiving Songs From Bob Dylan, Joan Baez + Others: Gimme Five

Thanksgiving Songs From Bob Dylan, Joan Baez + Others: Gimme Five

Sometimes it’s best to give thanks. And sometimes it helps to have Thanksgiving songs by the likes of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and others to remind us.

Richard Turgeon, “You Always Believe” (2021): One Track Mind

Richard Turgeon, “You Always Believe” (2021): One Track Mind

Richard Turgeon is typically a one-man band, but he has enlisted the assistance of a few friends on his latest single.

Ivo Perelman + Vijay Iyer – ‘Tale Nine’ (2021)

Ivo Perelman + Vijay Iyer – ‘Tale Nine’ (2021)

Ivo Perelman tends to draw out all the interesting little characteristics from his musical partners, even first time musical collaborators like Vijay Iyer for their totally improvised encounter ‘Tale Nine.’

Richard and Linda Thompson – ‘Shoot Out the Lights’ (1982): On Second Thought

Richard and Linda Thompson – ‘Shoot Out the Lights’ (1982): On Second Thought

Infidelity, bottle-throwing, love and loss swirl around ‘Shoot Out the Lights,’ recorded 40 years ago this month by Richard and Linda Thompson.

Yes, “Mystery Tour” from ‘The Quest’ (2021): YESterdays

Yes, “Mystery Tour” from ‘The Quest’ (2021): YESterdays

Maybe Yes’ bonus-track Beatles tribute “Mystery Tour” is just inoffensive fluff, but there’s a special place in my heart for this song.