Articles by: Nick DeRiso

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Bobby Rush and Dr. John, “Another Murder in New Orleans” (2014)

Bobby Rush and Dr. John, Louisiana natives with a stake in this, lament how a city of song can so often be riven by violence — in a song that marks an emotional first-ever collaboration on Rush’s just-released new album Decisions. You May Also Like: Dr. John’s anger over KatrinaRead More

Vinyl

The Howlin’ Brothers – Trouble (2014)

More American Beauty-era Dead than picking-and-grinning Scruggs redux, the Howlin’ Brothers steer the current fascination with string-band hominess back toward rock music. You May Also Like: ‘Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog’ Was the Howlin’ Wolf Deep Dive We Didn’t Know We Needed How ‘London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions’ Gave Boomer RockersRead More

Vinyl

Neil Young – A Letter Home (2014)

“My friend Jack has this box,” Young says as A Letter Home begins, in an opening message to his mother — but, by then, it’s already clear that A Letter Home is an album like no other, recorded in a situation so old fashioned as to seem otherworldly. You MayRead More

Toto - 35th Anniversary Tour: Live in Poland (2014)

Toto – 35th Anniversary Tour: Live in Poland (2014)

You’re reminded of Toto’s resiliency as they reanimate familiar tunes but also when the band focuses on deep cuts that complete a larger narrative.

Vinyl

Joey Molland and Tony Kaye remember Pete Ham, Tom Evans + Badfinger: Gimme Five

The Badfinger legacy was ultimately left to Joey Molland who, with a group of collaborators over the years that’s included Yes co-founder Tony Kaye, soldiered on.

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Neil Young, “Needle of Death” from A Letter Home (2014)

But for the lack of surface noise, “Needle of Death” could just as well be a just-dug-up vinyl relic from a bygone era — so complete is Neil Young’s trip back into age-old technological nostalgia. Then, the lyrics begin to pierce through the facade of hype built up around itsRead More

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Nocturne Blue with Markus Reuter, “Circle Around the Synthetic Sun: Intro” (2014)

Markus Reuter, on a break from work with the Stick Men and the Crimson ProjeKCt, has added some dreamscape U8 Touch Guitar imagery to a new project by Dutch Rall, appropriately dubbed Nocturne Blue. You May Also Like: TEAR [Mark Wingfield and Markus Reuter]: Something Else! Interview Todd Rundgren’s Utopia,Read More

'Never thought this was going to happen': Toto begins tour ahead of concert release, long-awaited new album

‘Never thought this was going to happen’: Toto begins tour ahead of concert release, long-awaited new album

A completely rejuvenated Toto begins its 2014 tour in Japan this week, even as a new concert film is set for release. They’re continuing work on a studio project too, the band’s first since 2006. You May Also Like: Toto, “Oh Why” from ‘Old Is New’ (2018): Toto Tuesdays

Vinyl

Billy Sherwood – Divided By One (2014)

After a long series of post-9/11 explorations into the darkness that’s invaded our lives, from within and from without, Billy Sherwood seems to have found the light at the end of the tunnel on the more approachable Divided by One You May Also Like: No related posts.

Vinyl

Eric Clapton – Behind the Sun (1985; 2014 Audio Fidelity Remaster)

Often overlooked, widely misunderstood and generally derided, Behind the Sun might not be the first album you’d picture for a deluxe Steve Hoffman mastering to Audio Fidelity SACD. But, really, that’s the magic of this particular reissue — the way it challenges your expectations, even your memory. You May AlsoRead More