Articles by: Mark Saleski

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Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, “The E Street Shuffle” (1973)

Sparks fly on E Street when the boy prophets walk it handsome and hot… Yeah, sometime a song hits hard because of the meaning. You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle’

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9/11 Special: ‘Body of War: Songs That Inspired an Iraq War Veteran’ (2008)

by Mark Saleski At this time, there’s really no point in starting another Iraq war ‘debate.’ It’s all been mashed out on the Internet so many times before. I have my opinions. You have yours. You May Also Like: Agree with it or not, we need political records like NeilRead More

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Guilty pleasures: Seal – Best: 1991-2004 (2004)

by Mark Saleski MTV Unplugged. It was an interesting show (heck, it was an interesting network, back when the ‘M’ actually stood for “music”). Can an artist/band deal with going ‘naked,’ the protective cover of studio sheen stripped away? You May Also Like: How Seals and Crofts’ Heartfelt Stand onRead More

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The Friday Morning Listen: Steely Dan – ‘Pretzel Logic’ (1974)

I have books in my collection that go all the way back to about the 5th grade. There have been so many bookstore visits in between: used bookstores, local establishments, major & minor chains. Occasions have included everything from the obligatory first day of vacation “fill-up” to the much moreRead More

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Neil Young – Prairie Wind (2005)

by Mark Saleski No harm meant by this remark: I’d rather listen to John Mayer than Elliott Smith. So there, I’ve said it. Not to illustrate that I’ve got no indie cred. That I apparently have no taste in music. Not even to piss off the legions of Smith fans.Read More

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Half Notes: Captain Beefheart, "The Dust Blows Forward 'n The Dust Blows Back" (1969)

by Mark Saleski This song, from Captain Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica, wouldn’t feel out of place on Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music. Part field holler, part rambling genius. Well I put down my bush ‘n I took off my pants ‘n felt free The breeze blowin’ up meRead More

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Half Notes: Bill Ware and Marc Ribot – Sir Duke (2001)

I wasn’t familiar with the work of vibraphonist Bill Ware (though a quick Allmusic search said that he’s played with the Jazz Passengers, Groove Collective and even Steely Dan) but I was, then as now, a sucker for the sound of vibes. What’s more, I’ll buy anything with the nameRead More

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Sparks Fly On E Street: Bruce Springsteen, "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" (1973)