We love these songs. The words become a part of us. Does that mean we “know” the artist? When Bruce Springsteen appeared on VH1’s Storytellers, a fan asked him that very same question. Bruce’s response was a resounding (and laughter-infused) “Nope!” It makes sense really You May Also Like: GregRead More

Vacation Part 2. Oh my, it feels so good to downshift. With no daily work regimen to get the stress train moving (beyond making sure that there’s enough coffee for the next day), the relaxation response takes over. You May Also Like: Of All the Tom Waits Albums, ‘Real Gone’Read More

by Mark Saleski Every true music fan has in their pocket a short list: the artists who hold special meaning. Our relationships to those artists are different from the rest. Each release means something. They’re not just records, they’re events You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, theRead More

by Mark Saleski To my ears, the reference standard of piano duo recordings has to be that Chick Corea/Herbie Hancock thing. Monstrous, is what it is. This is a little different though. First, it’s Reed and Chestnut (duh). Second, there’s the presence of bass and drums (Dezron Douglas, Willie JonesRead More

Given the fact that Pat Martino had played with some of the biggest B3 players in the business (including Jack McDuff and the great Jimmy Smith), it probably surprised no one that Martino’s first solo release You May Also Like: Wes Montgomery – ‘The Complete Full House Recordings’ (2023)

Vacation. I started out with a plan for this elaborate fantasy. It began with me and TheWife™ going into town on Friday night to see Thurston Moore. You May Also Like: Don Breithaupt on ‘Friday,’ and What’s Ahead for Monkey House: Something Else! Interview

The word “muscular” as applied to jazz guitar players brings to mind folks like Al DiMiola, Barney Kessell, Mick Goodrick, and even early George Benson. The great thing about these particular players (as opposed to artists who are rooted primarily in fusion) is that they can tease out ideas withRead More

Up until the year 2003, I had successfully avoided Kurt Elling. This wasn’t all that hard to do considering that male jazz vocals never really resonated with me. I do own a Coltrane/Hartman record, and of course some Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Still, only a handful of albums? ItRead More

There are times when I’d love to kick myself right in the ass, mostly for being so slow on the uptake. You May Also Like: Mike Keneally, “Draconian Blump” from ‘Nonkertompf’ (1999): One Track Mind How Mike Keneally’s Comeback on ‘The Universe Will Provide’ Fulfilled All of His Promise Here’sRead More

Warning: Listening to the Joe Jackson Band’s ‘Volume 4’ may give you a strong urge to dig out your skinny tie.