At the Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago: Michael Nesmith’s appearance was not just a concert — it was an evening with a raconteur, an artist weaving stories with words and music. You May Also Like: Micky Dolenz remembers Mike Nesmith’s return to Monkees: ‘It brought tears to myRead More

Growing up in Chicago, I listened to WLS-AM before it became all-talk radio. It served as one of my earliest introductions to rock and helped form my musical tastes. You May Also Like: Joe Walsh and the James Gang’s Rides Again was both tough and tender Quoan – Fine DiningRead More

Last week marked the 50th anniversary of a cultural revolution: the release of the Beatles’ Please Please Me. Their first effort, recorded over 12 hours on a single day, stands as one of the most impressive debuts in rock history. You May Also Like: The Beatles, “Thank You Girl” fromRead More

Thirty years ago today, a “big bang” of sorts occurred on television. This moment would profoundly affect R&B, rock, pop, MTV, and general pop culture. You May Also Like: The Jackson 5 – The Ultimate Collection (1996): On Second Thought Michael Gregory Jackson – ‘Electric Git Box’ (2022) Michael GregoryRead More

Just when you think no other aspect of Beatles history could possibly be overlooked, a book comes along revealing a little-known corner of their story. You May Also Like: ‘George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle’ by Philip Norman (2023): Books The Favorite Beatle: Taking an Eternal Question to the Next LevelRead More

Last week’s Deep Beatles took a closer look at the Beatles’ 1962 audition for Decca Records. Since manager Brian Epstein wanted to present Decca’s A&R department with a vivid picture of the Beatles’ live shows, he asked the band to perform covers You May Also Like: The Beatles, “Love ofRead More

One of the best jazz vocal groups to emerge from the 1990s, New York Voices is marking their 25th anniversary with a live CD, Live with the WDR Big Band Cologne. You May Also Like: Garage A Trois – ‘Calm Down Cologne’ (2021) Maceo Parker’s Roots and Grooves was halfRead More

The Pacific Coast Jazz label has produced a steady stream of laid-back contemporary jazz albums, and Norman Johnson’s sophomore solo effort Get It While You Can is no exception. You May Also Like: Leslie Johnson – The Leslie Johnson Project (2015) Vahagn Stepanyan – Moonlight (2015)

As the Beatles finished their rocking rendition of “Get Back” at the conclusion of their 1969 Apple rooftop concert, John Lennon joked “I would like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we’ve passed the audition.” You May Also Like: The Beatles, “LikeRead More

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, Memorex ran a popular ad campaign for their blank cassette tapes, asking “is it live, or is it Memorex?” Memorex tapes may be long gone, but the question has taken on new significance. You May Also Like: John Lennon – ‘Gimme Some Truth’ andRead More