Articles by: Mark Saleski

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, "Long Ago Child/Fallen Star" (1979)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Long Ago Child/Fallen Star” (1979)

It’s one thing to paint a complete picture with a small amount of harmonic material, yet quite another to be very concise with over ten minutes of music. You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition to Pat Metheny’s Incredible Career Pat Metheny – ‘From This Place’ (2020)Read More

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The Friday Morning Listen: The Allman Brothers Band – At Fillmore East (1971)

So now we have the latest news in the long saga of the Allman Brothers. It has been announced that Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks will be leaving the band. You May Also Like: Dickey Betts’ Star Rose as the Allman Brothers Band Grieved How the Allman Brothers Band ReboundedRead More

WTF?! Wednesdays: Fred Frith, "No Birds" (1974)

WTF?! Wednesdays: Fred Frith, “No Birds” (1974)

Many years ago, I made a mix tape specifically for use on long drives in my pickup truck. No, it was not filled with country music. You May Also Like: Fred Frith + Ikue Mori – ‘A Mountain Doesn’t Know It’s Tall’ (2021) Grand Funk – Shinin’ On (1974; 2017Read More

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Bruce Springsteen – High Hopes (2014)

I’m not sure I’m capable of writing a review of Bruce Springsteen’s latest release. There’s one fact that may disqualify me from rendering a true and proper piece of rock criticism. You May Also Like: How Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Tunnel of Love’ Dug Deeply to Find Hard Truths Night Songs byRead More

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, "Countin' On A Miracle" (2002)

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, “Countin’ On A Miracle” (2002)

On The Rising, Bruce came at the topic of loss from many angles. Here we have a person who’s lost a loved one and is forced to deal with the consequence of a life totally transformed. You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the ERead More

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, "Country Poem" (1979)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Country Poem” (1979)

Pat Metheny has spoken many times about his “voice,” and obviously that voice comes in many flavors — from the hollow body guitar, the various acoustics, the Red One, the Pikasso, the Orchestrion. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget Why You Should GiveRead More

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The Friday Morning Listen: Horse Feathers – Cynic’s New Year (2012)

What have I learned in the short space between the day after Christmas 2013 and the first two days of 2014? Oh, tons of stuff. You May Also Like: Neil Young Set a Solo Course on ‘Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House’ Thom Yorke – Spitting Feathers (2006): On SecondRead More

WTF?! Wednesdays: Harry Partch, "Barstow" (1943)

WTF?! Wednesdays: Harry Partch, “Barstow” (1943)

You’ve gotta love a musical curmudgeon. Better still, a musical curmudgeon with a ton of great ideas. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, "Nothing Man" (2002)

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, “Nothing Man” (2002)

Various reports state that this song was written long before the 9/11 incident and was brought forward (and perhaps updated) for its release. You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle’

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, "New Chautauqua" (1979)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “New Chautauqua” (1979)

Released in 1979, New Chautauqua is by far my favorite Pat Metheny solo record. OK, sure…there haven’t been that many Metheny solo records. You May Also Like: Why Pat Metheny’s ‘New Chautauqua’ Still Provides an Important Refuge Pat Metheny – ‘Dream Box’ (2023)