Articles by: Nick DeRiso

Vinyl

Styx – The Grand Illusion / Pieces of Eight Live (2012)

At the moment of Styx’s earliest breakout successes, as it achieved these first- and second-ever triple platinum-selling albums, the band was already starting to go its separate ways. You May Also Like: No related posts.

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Ruthie Foster – ‘Let It Burn’ (2012)

Innovative, aware and direct, Ruthie Foster’s ‘Let It Burn’ comes together to form a journey of extraordinary depth and power.

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The O'Jays, Billy Paul, MFSB – Golden Gate Groove: Live in San Francisco 1973 (2012)

The so-called Sound of Philadelphia, as constructed by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell in the 1970s, wasn’t just attitude, in the style of today. Wasn’t just talk, but also a new walk. A shared attitude. A sound. You May Also Like: Marc Ribot + The Young Philadelphians –Read More

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Joe Louis Walker – Hellfire (2012)

Listen to Joe Louis Walker, and you’ll hear the grimy city blues of Buddy Guy, the Rolling Stones’ junkie groove, the soaring echoes of Al Green’s church music, and Sly Stones’ urban soul. That’s the magic and the power of his work You May Also Like: Seth Walker – GottaRead More

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Erykah Badu, Zigaboo Modeliste and others, ‘A la Modeliste’ (2012): One Track Mind

This song, produced by Mark Ronson as part of the “Re:Generation” project, is like a neutral-ground hang, a crawfish boil, and a Saints tailgating afternoon rolled into one. That legendary drummer Zigaboo Modeliste is at the center of things should come as no surprise. But producer Ronson, best known forRead More

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Gimme Five: Recommended Fleetwood Mac, but not from Rumours

News that Fleetwood Mac could reunite this year — after Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham complete their current solo commitments, that is — had me scurrying back to the old records for a refresher. But not to Rumours You May Also Like: No related posts.

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Otis Taylor on ‘One Million Slaves,’ ‘Open These Bars,’ ‘Resurrection Blues,’ others: Gimme Five

Otis Taylor has quickly become one of the most exciting and original voices in a genre badly in need of both.

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Otis Taylor, iconoclastic bluesman: Something Else! Interview

Otis Taylor discusses the state of the blues, career intersections with Tommy Bolin and Gary Moore, and the banjo’s forgotten African-American legacy.

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PBS' 'American Masters' to air new tribute to Cab Calloway for Black History Month

A new documentary on legendary bandleader and showman Cab Calloway will air on the PBS program “American Masters” as part of Black History Month. Cab Calloway: Sketches premieres nationally on Monday, February 27. You May Also Like: No related posts.

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Queen – ‘Days of Our Lives’ (2012)

As ‘Days of Our Lives’ makes clear, Queen knew – and from the very beginning – that they were on to something.