Articles by: Nick DeRiso

Vinyl

Fareed Haque – Out of Nowhere (2013)

Fareed Haque boasts a pallette accustomed to varied musical tastes. Raised in Chicago by a Chilean mother and a Pakistani father, he grew into roving cross-cultural genius on guitar. But this is not that kind of record. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Vinyl

Dave Baker, with Rich Kurtz – Blended (2013)

That the university-trained, classical inspired guitarist Dave Baker is so handy with interpreting pop sounds should come as no surprise. After all, he found early fame opening for fellow Temple products Hall and Oates on tour. You May Also Like: Dave Stryker – ‘Baker’s Circle’ (2021) Ginger Baker (1939-2019): AnRead More

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Stan Getz, Tito Puente, Herb Alpert, others – It’s a Scream How Levine Does the Rhumba (2013)

At first, this idea of Latin-Jewish music might seem exotic. Who mixes congas and kugels — much less bagels and bongos, right? The truth is, it’s been with us since at least the 1930s You May Also Like: Electric Simcha – ‘Joy’ (2020)

Vinyl

Big Star – Playlist: The Very Best (2013)

Big Star is a band that you know, at least by sound and structure, even if you never knew them, you know? Roundly ignored across two early-1970s releases, their’s was the sound of the college-rock scene of a decade later. You May Also Like: No related posts.

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Sarastro Blake – New Progmantics (2013)

Sarastro Blake’s new album title, which makes fresh broth out of the New Romantics and Progressive Rock labels, can only hint at the well of emotion surrounding these songs. You May Also Like: Luca Crispino, Danilo Gallo, Luca Pighi + Roberto Zorzi – ‘Le Quattro Verita [The Four Truths]’ (2022)

Almost Hits: Tom Petty, "It's Good To Be King" (1995)

Almost Hits: Tom Petty, “It’s Good To Be King” (1995)

“It’s Good To Be King,” which somehow only crept up to No. 68 on the charts, doesn’t sound like any side Tom Petty had ever put out — and, at the same time, like all of them. You May Also Like: Tom Petty, Johnny Cash + Beastie Boys: Rick Rubin’sRead More

Vinyl

Hugh Laurie – Live on the Queen Mary (2013)

There is perhaps no more unpredictably weird image than Hugh Laurie — who, from 2004-12, played the Golden Globe-winning title protagonist on TV’s House — weaving his way through Professor Longhair You May Also Like: No related posts.

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The Rolling Stones – Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live (2013)

There would be no poetry this time, some 44 years after the Rolling Stones last took the stage at London’s Hyde Park. Back then, in 1969, they were eulogizing Brian Jones, then just two days dead. You May Also Like: Rolling Stones – ‘GRRR Live!’ (2023)

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Gary Husband and Alex Machacek – Now (2013)

This is something surprising, indeed: An evocative, quietly communicative exploration on guitar and piano from a pair of typically quick-witted post-fusion instrumental improv talents. I was smitten from the first. You May Also Like: Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, Jon Anderson, Gary Husband and Markus Reuter + Others: Five for the Road

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Saga, “On the Loose” from Spin It Again!: Live in Munich (2013)

As “On the Loose” lifts off — first with the insectile thrill of Jim Gilmour’s keyboards, then with a full-throated roar from Michael Sadler — Saga’s new live set all but sells itself. You May Also Like: Richard Turgeon, “Live Forever” (2020): One Track Mind