Articles by: Nick DeRiso

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Freddie Atlas, “Vain” from Dreams (2013)

Sounding a bit like Elton John if he’d gotten himself locked outside of an impressionistic art exhibit on a stormy night, “Vain” comes trickling in almost as if it’s atop a lazy stream You May Also Like: Casey Golden – ‘ATLAS’ (2018) Jason Stein + Adam Shead – ‘Synaptic Atlas’Read More

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As a new tour begins, Justin Hayward hails 2013’s Moody Blues: ‘This is the best version’

Justin Hayward and the Moody Blues kicked off another series of concert dates last night, and he’s making the case for their current lineup as the best ever. That’s saying something for a band that started in 1964. You May Also Like: The Moody Blues’ John Lodge, “10,000 Light YearsRead More

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Exclusive stream: Journey’s Gregg Rolie, “Look Into the Future” from Live at the Iridium (2013)

“I haven’t heard this in 35 years,” Gregg Rolie allows, as he and guitarist Alan Haynes launch into a searching version of the title track from Journey’s 1976 album Look Into the Future. It’s never sounded better. You May Also Like: At first, Gregg Rolie wasn’t so sure about aRead More

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Paul McCartney and Wings – Rockshow (1980; 2013 reissue)

Paul McCartney, in his green metal suit, prepares once again to shoot up the city. And the ring at the end of his nose (oh, yes it does) makes him look rather pretty. And just like that, Rockshow — this once lost artifact — is underway. You May Also Like:Read More

Something Else! sneak peek: Hawkwind's Nik Turner, "Fallen Angel STS-51-L" (2013)

Something Else! sneak peek: Hawkwind’s Nik Turner, “Fallen Angel STS-51-L” (2013)

Beginning with an anthematic countdown to liftoff, the lead song from Nik Turner’s forthcoming Cleopatra Records studio effort couldn’t sound less like its name. “Fallen Angel STS-51-L,” quite simply, begins with all engines firing. You May Also Like: Punky Meadows – Fallen Angel (2016) Archon Angel – ‘Fallen’ (2020) ‘BachmanRead More

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Black Sabbath – 13 (2013)

Black Sabbath’s ’13,’ their first full-length LP with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978, is a testament to the ties that bind, and to still sounding as evil as shit.

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John Mellencamp, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Taj Mahal – Ghost Brothers of Darkland County (2013)

John Mellencamp’s top billing owes more to his work with writer Stephen King on the narrative that would become a play called Ghost Brothers of Darkland County. He sings just once here, giving the album over to a host of guest stars You May Also Like: John Mellencamp’s ‘Freedom’s Road’Read More

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Beto Hale, featuring Tony Levin – Rebirth (2013)

It would be easy enough to pigeonhole Beto Hale’s new album as Beatlesque. After all, it includes work from two former Fab collaborators, including bassist Tony Levin. But Rebirth distinguishes itself from that easy comparison You May Also Like: No related posts.

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Houndmouth – From the Hills Below the City (2013)

This isn’t about singles, isn’t about a moment in time — a passing thought. No, Houndmouth’s From the Hills Below the City is an experience, expressed through the currency of relationships not encounters, constructed as a narrative. You May Also Like: Greg Brown’s ‘In the Hills of California’ Finally ReproducedRead More

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George Benson – Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole (2013)

George Benson’s chart successes in the 1970s and ’80s as a breezy R&B crooner have largely obscured his initial promise as a boss jazz guitarist with a intelligent, liquid tone — an heir to Wes Montgomery’s throne. You May Also Like: Harry Benson – ‘Paul’ (2022): Books Paula Cole –Read More