Articles by: Nick DeRiso

Sly and the Family Stone - Higher! (2013)

Sly and the Family Stone – Higher! (2013)

The story of Sly and the Family Stone is that of the 1960s, a decade of dizzying highs followed by a period of just as devastating lows. Their music, and the band itself, shared the similar promise of a new way — only to implode with a shocking finality. YouRead More

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Quicksilver Messenger Service, with James Cotton – Live at the Old Mill Tavern (2013)

On the precipice of some very bad vibes — they were about to lose Nicky Hopkins then David Freiberg before going into a folk-rock abyss with Dino Valenti — Quicksilver Messenger Service put on one of its last truly great shows. You May Also Like: Adam Hopkins’ Crickets, “Grounded” (2023):Read More

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The Rides [Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Barry Goldberg] – Can’t Get Enough (2013)

The joy surrounding this blues-rock collaboration is found not just in the Rides’ meaty originals — four of the 10 tracks are new — but in the way this just-founded trio happily attacks the cover tunes. You May Also Like: Stephen Stills & Judy Collins – ‘Everybody Knows’ (2017) Yes,Read More

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Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow – Black Masquerade (2013)

Detailing almost the precise moment that Ritchie Blackmore began his transition toward ren-faire rock, this 1995 Rainbow performance for Germany’s Rockpalast isn’t by any means essential — but it sure is interesting. You May Also Like: No related posts.

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One Track Mind: Trombone Shorty, “Fire and Brimstone” from Say That to Say This (2013)

With a groove so sharp it cuts through the night, “Fire and Brimstone” bears no small amount of resemblance to the fonky-psychedelic rock style of Trombone Shorty’s former employer, Lenny Kravitz. You May Also Like: Trombone Shorty Raced Beyond Genres on Transcendent ‘Backatown’ Trombone Shorty – ‘Lifted’ (2022) Richard Turgeon,Read More

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Mike Keneally talks ‘You Must Be This Tall,’ and Andy Partridge: ‘A cap on this particular stage’

Mike Keneally discusses the role of instant composing and improvisation, along with his hopes for working with XTC’s Andy Partridge again.

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One Track Mind: Elton John, “Home Again” from The Diving Board (2013)

With this new video, Elton John returns to the contemplative approach that made his early-1970s work so resonant, though “Home Again” finds him sounding older, wiser and (with a sadly nostalgic lyric) deeply aware of the time that has passed. You May Also Like: John Mellencamp’s Dark, Down-Home Life, Death,Read More

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The Beach Boys – ‘Made in California’ (2013)

Brian Wilson gave the Beach Boys their spark, but ‘Made in California’ reminds us that there was much more to the story.

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Laurence Juber, Denny Seiwell and Henry McCullough on Paul McCartney and Wings: Gimme Five

Former Wings members Denny Seiwell, Henry McCullough and Laurence Juber – a trio of figures who span either end of the 1970s-era Paul McCartney band’s lifespan – offer unique insight into his work.

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Warren Wolf – Wolfgang (2013)

After the fiery introduction made on his 2011 eponymous debut, vibraphonist Warren Wolf takes a more melodic tack with the follow up Wolfgang, and the results are as inviting as they are joy-filled. You May Also Like: Brian Blade on Wolfgang Muthspiel’s ‘Angular Blues’: Something Else! Interview Wolfgang Muthspiel, Populous,Read More