Articles by: Nick DeRiso

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One Track Mind: Tony Bennett with Amy Winehouse, "Body and Soul" (2011)

You hear, for one final time, the promise of Amy Winehouse — if only in the way she can so expertly imitate the memorable phrasing of Dinah Washington. You May Also Like: Jazz Reedist Daniel Bennett on How Musicians Can Thrive In (and After) the Pandemic Age [Part 1 ofRead More

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Christie Winn – Closer to Home (2011)

Singer-pianist Christie Winn, a performer who crackles with spontaneity, pushes Closer to Home into every corner of her craft. Her deft ability to sound both quiet and strong, rhythmic and yet lucid, soulful and still multi-dimensional makes the album a consistently engaging delight. You May Also Like: No related posts.

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Best of September 2011: Reader picks include Lindsey Buckingham, Thomas Dolby and Rockpile

Here’s a look back at the Top 10 stories from last month on SomethingElseReviews.com, based on page views from our readers. No. 10 — THE MEKONS – ANCIENT AND MODERN: Only a band like the Mekons could make something like Ancient and Modern, this whipsawing triumph of country contemplation andRead More

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Gimme Five: Duke Robillard on solo sides, dates with Tom Waits and Herb Ellis

On this special edition of Something Else! Reviews’ One Track Mind, we hand the reins over to blues legend Duke Robillard, founder of Roomful of Blues and former member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. You May Also Like: How Pee Wee Ellis Finally Stepped Into the Spotlight With ‘Blues Mission’

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Something Else! Reviews on the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees

The new nominations for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 elicited the usual wailing and gnashing of teeth — even amongst us. You May Also Like: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Open Letter: Stop Being the Old Boys’ Club When John Frusciante Returned toRead More

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Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton, "Layla" (2011): One Track Mind

After a desultory, red-light district blast of horns, the Wynton Marsalis-led Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra settles into this funereal rhythm, swaying from side to side as Eric Clapton rips off a few blues-simmered, heartfelt asides. If you hadn’t checked the liner notes, the song itself — a signature momentRead More

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Something Else! Interview: Blues legend Duke Robillard

Duke Robillard, co-founder of Roomful of Blues and a former member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, has earned high praise from none other than B.B. King — who labeled him “one of the great players.” You May Also Like: Nick Finzer’s Thoughtful ‘Hear and Now’ Also Honors Duke Ellington: Something Else!Read More

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Christian McBride Big Band – The Good Feeling (2011)

In a way, Christian McBride has been working on this big-band project all along. The talented jazz bassist’s interest in this format began almost 20 years ago You May Also Like: Christian Marien Quartett – ‘How Long Is Now’ (2024)

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Bill Frisell – All We Are Saying (2011)

‘All We Are Saying’ feels so connective because of guitarist Bill Frisell’s willingness to simply let things happen – to accept life as it goes.

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On Second Thought: Brian Eno – Drums Between the Bells (2011)

I initially dismissed this, almost out of hand: There’s a reason people haven’t been rocking Robert Frost all this time. You May Also Like: How Brian Eno Made a Triumphant Return to Rock With ‘Nerve Net’