Oliver Wood, “Yo I Surrender” from ‘Fat Cat Silhouette’ (2024): One Track Mind
May 28, 2024Here’s the official video of “Yo I Surrender,” a down-home ditty by Oliver Wood that manages to be uplifting without even trying too hard.
Dennis Javier Jasso and Randy Sanchez of Nosotros: Something Else Interview
May 13, 2024Preston Frazier sits down with Dennis Javier Jasso and Randy Sanchez to discuss exciting new music from the New Mexico-based Latin band Nosotros.
John Blum Quartet feat. Marshall Allen – ‘Deep Space’ (2024)
May 27, 2024John Blum’s ‘Deep Space’ might have some Sun Ra flavor in it thanks to Marshall Allen, but the free jazz pianist follows his own muse and it’s a good one.
Remembering David Sanborn: “Ramblin'” from ‘Upfront’ (1992)
May 18, 2024Just as long as you like to move, there’s no reason not to like David Sanborn’s take on the Ornette Coleman classic “Ramblin’.”
David Torn – ‘Adityahridayam 321’ (2024)
May 5, 2024For ‘Adityahridayam 321,’ David Torn is leveraging technology and musicianship in the service of impulsive creativity like no one else can.
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Tomeka Reid Quartet – ‘3+3’ (2024)
April 30, 2024 -
Thollem – ‘Worlds In A Life, One’ (2024)
February 2, 2024
The Strange Encounters – ‘All in the Mind’ (2024)
May 17, 2024The Strange Encounters have crafted an album that recalls the Beatles, R.E.M., the Byrds, the Posies, the Jayhawks, Badfinger and Robyn Hitchcock.
Yes – ‘Talk: 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition’ (2024)
May 3, 2024I’m probably in the minority of Yes fans, but I didn’t think much about the 1994 album ‘Talk.’ Will an expanded anniversary reissue change that?
Why That Self-Titled 1994 Album Is the Best Motley Crue You Never Heard
March 18, 2024Released 30 years ago, ‘Motley Crue’ is actually their heaviest and most mature record – mature, of course, being a relative term.
Dragon – ‘O Zambezi’ (1978): Antipodean April
April 21, 2024If record execs and promoters had any idea what to do with Dragon, this fun, accessible New Zealand power pop band could have been big in America.
The Strange Encounters – ‘All in the Mind’ (2024)
May 17, 2024The Strange Encounters have crafted an album that recalls the Beatles, R.E.M., the Byrds, the Posies, the Jayhawks, Badfinger and Robyn Hitchcock.
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Dragon – ‘O Zambezi’ (1978): Antipodean April
April 21, 2024 -
Hello Sailor – ‘Hello Sailor’ (1977): Antipodean April
April 7, 2024
Elaine Palmer – ‘Half Moon Rising’ (2024)
May 23, 2024Elaine Palmer’s ‘Half Moon Rising’ is a lovely folk-Americana album floating on enriched earthy vocals that can possess a melody with magic.
Eddie Van Halen’s Disastrous Flirtation With the Cello: Steve Rosen Book Excerpt
April 29, 2024An impatient teacher slapped Eddie Van Halen’s hand after a few bad notes, then looked at author Steve Rosen with a look that said, “What the f— did I just do?”
Nick Finzer, Christian Fabian, Rachel Z + Others: Five for the Road
April 5, 2024Nick Finzer, Christian Fabian and Rachel Z are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.
Oliver Wood, “Yo I Surrender” from ‘Fat Cat Silhouette’ (2024): One Track Mind
May 28, 2024Here’s the official video of “Yo I Surrender,” a down-home ditty by Oliver Wood that manages to be uplifting without even trying too hard.
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Nosotros, “Mentiras” (2024): One Track Mind
April 10, 2024 -
How Billy Joel’s ‘Turn the Lights Back On’ Recalls Past Glories
March 22, 2024
How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for British Blues
March 20, 2024I thought I didn’t need another take on “Come On In My Kitchen.” Twenty years ago, Eric Clapton proved me wrong with ‘Me and Mr. Johnson.’
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How B.B. King Left Us With One Last Reminder of His Greatness
August 25, 2023 -
Blue Largo – ‘Got to Believe’ (2022)
November 23, 2022
How Rudolph Stole the Show on ‘The Temptations Christmas Card’
December 25, 2023This album will always be defined by its lead-off moment, as the Temptations take a kid’s song and transform it into a funked-out Yuletide hoot.
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Gregory Porter, Samara Joy, John Paul McGee + Others: 2023’s Seasonal Sounds
November 30, 2023 -
Why ‘Abandoned Luncheonette’ Is Still the Best Hall and Oates Album
November 3, 2023
How the Seattle Cinerama Was Reborn as SIFF Cinema Downtown
April 12, 2024May the Seattle Cinerama rest in peace. Long live the SIFF Cinema Downtown.
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Norman Lear Would Change Modern TV, But First He Came to Iowa
December 11, 2023 -
Micky Dolenz Might Have Finally Figured Out What the Monkees’ ‘Head’ Was About
November 8, 2023
The Daily Doug: The Albums That Shaped My Career
July 15, 2022Composer, educator and vocal-group conductor Douglas Helvering, best known for his YouTube channel, The Daily Doug, discusses LPs that changed everything.
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Jimmy Haslip, jazz bassist: The Albums That Shaped My Career
April 18, 2022 -
Jeff Lorber: The Albums That Shaped My Career
March 30, 2022
On the Genius (and Ubiquitousness) of Saxophonist David Sanborn
May 13, 2024Often situated in a cloud of opaque neo-funk, the late David Sanborn’s talents could be understandably obscured. Yet, there’s no mistaking, or escaping, that tone.
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Terry Kirkman’s Legend Was Bigger Than the Association’s ‘Cherish’
September 27, 2023 -
How Jimmy Buffett Became a Steadfast Superstar
September 6, 2023
Steve Howe Made a Colorful, Quite Surprising Debut With Tomorrow
February 20, 2023Released 55 years ago this month, the self-titled debut by Yes stalwart Steve Howe’s old band Tomorrow is one of the best of its psychedelic kind.
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‘Memories of a White Magician’ and ‘Lady Macbeth’ by Jon Symon’s Warlock
January 10, 2023 -
How an ‘Antique French Garage Band’ Nailed the Whole Soul Music Vibe
November 27, 2022
Five Moments of Eternal Brilliance From Steely Dan’s ‘Pretzel Logic’
February 20, 2024Released 50 years ago today, Steely Dan’s ‘Pretzel Logic’ remains a pinnacle achievement for the premier jazz-pop rock band. Here’s a handful of reasons why.
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Ringo Starr’s Top Five Interpretations of Songs by the Other Beatles
November 28, 2023 -
Five ‘With the Beatles’ Deep Cuts That Illustrate Their Lasting Debt to R&B
November 20, 2023
Playin’ the Changes With Tom Petty, Aerosmith + Cheap Trick: Shadows in Stereo
October 25, 2021Often over-looked albums by Tom Petty, Aerosmith and Cheap Trick are turning 40 next year. But why wait for a rock ‘n’ roll re-evaluation?
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MC5 – ‘High Time’ (1971): Shadows in Stereo
September 13, 2021 -
AC/DC, Tom Petty, Neil Young + Others: Shadows in Stereo (Lockdown Edition)
February 24, 2021