Archive for August, 2022

Michael Orenstein - 'Aperture' (2022)

Michael Orenstein – ‘Aperture’ (2022)

With ‘Aperture,’ Michael Orenstein enters the realm of jazz recording artists as a fully formed talent, one with a fresh, contemporary extension of the piano greats who’ve come before him.

Frank Zappa's Universe via 'Joe's Garage': Act II

Frank Zappa’s Universe via ‘Joe’s Garage’: Act II

This is the second in a series where Mick Raubenheimer examines ‘Joe’s Garage,’ a three-part rock opera by Frank Zappa from 1979.

David Paich - 'Forgotten Toys' (2022)

David Paich – ‘Forgotten Toys’ (2022)

Hopefully, the arrival of David Paich’s ‘Forgotten Toys’ EP is just the opening salvo in a long overdue solo career.

Zan Zone - 'Start Where You Stand' (2022)

Zan Zone – ‘Start Where You Stand’ (2022)

Zan Zone’s ‘Start Where You Stand’ is an often Wishbone Ash-esque guitar-rock album that just gets things right.

Whiskey Myers – 'Tornillo' (2022)

Whiskey Myers – ‘Tornillo’ (2022)

The heyday of Southern rock may be gone, but Whiskey Myers proves once again that it’s definitely still alive and kicking like a mule.

Walt Weiskopf European Quartet - 'Diamonds and Other Jewels' (2022)

Walt Weiskopf European Quartet – ‘Diamonds and Other Jewels’ (2022)

‘Diamonds and Other Jewels’ presents Walt Weiskopf’s European quartet emerging from the pandemic with its coherence at an all-time high.

Top 20 Versions of 'Lush Life': Johnny Hartman, Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald + Others

Top 20 Versions of ‘Lush Life’: Johnny Hartman, Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald + Others

Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” is beautiful. It’s peculiar. It’s sad. It reflects a path of life on which we have all wandered. But which version is best?

Frank Zappa's Universe via 'Joe's Garage': Act I

Frank Zappa’s Universe via ‘Joe’s Garage’: Act I

This is the first in a three-part series from Mick Raubenheimer examining Frank Zappa’s ‘Joe Garage,’ itself a three-part rock opera which arrived in 1979.

Bethlehem Asylum - 'Bethlehem Asylum / Commit Yourself' (1970-71; 2022 reissue)

Bethlehem Asylum – ‘Bethlehem Asylum / Commit Yourself’ (1970-71; 2022 reissue)

Bethlehem Asylum’s two early-’70s Ampex albums offer a wonderfully weird look back into the musical mayhem once found in hip record-store racks.

How Bruce Hornsby Showed Off His Jazz Chops With 'Camp Meeting'

How Bruce Hornsby Showed Off His Jazz Chops With ‘Camp Meeting’

Bruce Hornsby won’t ever be mentioned with his jazz heroes. Still, he proved 15 years ago today that he could maintain some originality while honoring them.