Articles by: Mark Saleski

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, "Unity Village" (1976)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Unity Village” (1976)

Here we have Pat’s solo guitar remembrance of weekend gigs at the Unity School of Christianity. The church was a part of the Metheny family history as both his dad and his brother had played in the church’s Unity Village Band. You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave EarlyRead More

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The Friday Morning Listen: Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball (2012)

It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to Wrecking Ball. For going on a year now, it’s been riding around with me in the car, never making it into the player. Why? I just can’t. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Mark Saleski's Mid-Year Best Of 2013: Pat Metheny, Richard Thompson, E. Normus Trio, The Flaming Lips

Mark Saleski’s Mid-Year Best Of 2013: Pat Metheny, Richard Thompson, E. Normus Trio, The Flaming Lips

It’s hot, it’s humid, it’s…almost July? Well, mid-year has once again snuck up on me. Time to recap the (fantastic) musical half-year that has apparently flown by. You May Also Like: Matthew Shipp Trio – ‘World Construct’ (2022) Matthew Shipp Trio – ‘New Concepts in Piano Trio Jazz’ (2024)

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, "Better Days" (1992)

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, “Better Days” (1992)

When I first listened to “Better Days,” I got the feeling that Bruce was going to be alright…and that the E Street Band would be back one day. Was I worried about him? You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle’

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, "Sirabhorn" (1976)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Sirabhorn” (1976)

Only the 2nd tune in the Metheny catalog and we already have an example of Pat’s Midwestern sound. The chiming opening bars have that open, pastoral sound that Metheny has said is rooted in his Missouri upbringing. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny – ‘MoonDial’ (2024) ‘Bright Size Life’ GaveRead More

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The Friday Morning Listen: Melanie – Beautiful People (1999)

It’s always great when a memory just drops from a piece of music, even when the connection is only tangential. A few mornings ago on the way to work, I was listening to The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour. You May Also Like: Toxic: Mat Walerian, Matthew Shipp, William Parker –Read More

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, "Pony Boy" (1992)

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, “Pony Boy” (1992)

I never understood the vitriol folks have lobbed at this song. Showing up quite often on fan lists of Springsteen’s worst songs (the idea of a fan making a list of the an artist’s “worst” songs being a topic for another day) You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘TheRead More

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, "Bright Size Life" (1976)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Bright Size Life” (1976)

Welcome to the first entry of our new series (Cross the) Heartland, a song-by-song examination of the entire Pat Metheny catalog. It’s no secret that I’ve been a Metheny fan since my introduction to him You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition to Pat Metheny’s Incredible CareerRead More

Vinyl

The Friday Morning Listen: Supersuckers – All Songs Sound the Same (1992)

It isn’t often that I hear the words of my parents coming out of my mouth. Actually, it isn’t even something that I particularly dread. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, "Real Man" (1992)

Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, “Real Man” (1992)

Here we have the sister track to The Long Goodbye. Thematically? No, but certainly musically You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle’