Diana Krall’s Sweetly Erotic ‘Quiet Nights’ Was Perfectly Named
Released a decade ago today, Diana Krall’s ‘Quiet Nights’ succeeds as easy listening – in the best sense of those words.
Articles by: Jimmy Nelson
Return to Forever’s Surprise ‘Returns’ Smartly Focused on the Past
‘Return to Forever: Returns’ arrived 10 years ago today as a reminder of everything we loved about this cosmic, muscular and damned funky band.
Wynton Marsalis Finally Learned How to Have Fun Again With ‘The Magic Hour’
Wynton Marsalis signed with the Blue Note label 15 years ago, then released an album worthy of that bastion of earthy joy.
U2, “New Year’s Day” from ‘War’ (1983): One Track Mind
Dozens of winters later, as “the world in white gets underway,” U2’s message on “New Year’s Day” is still worth exploring.
How ‘Wish’ Scuffed Up Joshua Redman’s Initial Melodicism
Joshua Redman’s sophomore album, released 25 years ago, represented a bold new direction for the just-debuted saxophonist.
Ramsey Lewis, “Here Comes Santa Claus” (1961): One Track Mind
It seems Ramsey Lewis can make anything listenable, even transcendent.
Philip Glass Transcended David Bowie’s Towering Influence on ‘Low Symphony’
Released 25 years ago, Philip Glass’ ‘Low Symphony’ wasn’t a note-for-note David Bowie redo, but a brilliant borrowing of themes for inspiration.
Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington Got Going Again With ‘Doin’ the Funky Thing’
Released 10 years ago, Walter “Wolfman” Washington’s ‘Doin the Funky Thing’ embraced blues modernity, while keeping one scuffed-up toe in the past.
Lisa Germano’s ‘Happiness’ Broke Out of the John Mellencamp Roots Rut
Issued 25 years ago, Lisa Germano’s darkly intriguing debut made it clear that she had always been more than simply an accompanist.
Gerry Rafferty’s Reverie on ‘City to City’ Always Takes Me Back
Forty years ago, Gerry Rafferty’s most famous album offered a lasting sense of rebirth, even if the former Stealers Wheel frontman never found it himself.
