Articles by: Preston Frazier

Toto, "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" (2002): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” (2002): Toto Tuesdays

Toto’s Leon Russell-inspired take on “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” is a fantastic end to an album which deserves a revisit.

Chicago, "If She Would Have Been Faithful" from 'Chicago 18' (1986): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “If She Would Have Been Faithful” from ‘Chicago 18’ (1986): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago’s “If She Would Have Been Faithful” reached No. 17, but quantity doesn’t mean quality.

Yes, "In the Presence Of" from 'Magnification' (2001): YESterdays

Yes, “In the Presence Of” from ‘Magnification’ (2001): YESterdays

While not as adventurous as the preceding “Dreamtime,” this simply fantastic ballad is executed with the level of finesse expected from Yes.

Toto, "Watching the Detectives" from 'Through the Looking Glass' (2002): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Watching the Detectives” from ‘Through the Looking Glass’ (2002): Toto Tuesdays

Toto made some safe song choices on 2002’s ‘Through the Looking Glass,’ but then there were also a few head-scratchers like “Watching the Detectives.”

Nick Finzer, Bernie Chiaravalle + Others: Five For the Road [Quarantine Edition]

Nick Finzer, Bernie Chiaravalle + Others: Five For the Road [Quarantine Edition]

Nick Finzer, Bernie Chiaravalle and others are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.

Yes, "Dreamtime" from 'Magnification' (2001): YESterdays

Yes, “Dreamtime” from ‘Magnification’ (2001): YESterdays

Despite its lyrical and production faults, “Dreamtime” is the one of the boldest statements on Yes’ ‘Magnification.’

Todd Rundgren, Billy Sherwood + Others - 'A Tribute to Keith Emerson and Greg Lake' (2020)

Todd Rundgren, Billy Sherwood + Others – ‘A Tribute to Keith Emerson and Greg Lake’ (2020)

A lot of thoughts flooded my head when I started listening to the new Billy Sherwood-helmed ‘Tribute to Keith Emerson and Greg Lake.’

Brian Blade on Wolfgang Muthspiel's 'Angular Blues': Something Else! Interview

Brian Blade on Wolfgang Muthspiel’s ‘Angular Blues’: Something Else! Interview

Brian Blade joined Preston Frazier to discuss his new recording with guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel’s trio, and how the coronavirus has impacted things.

Eric Johnson, David Sancious, Jeff Beam + Others: Five for the Road [Or for Social Distancing!]

Eric Johnson, David Sancious, Jeff Beam + Others: Five for the Road [Or for Social Distancing!]

Eric Johnson, David Sancious and Jeff Beam are part of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.

Yes, "Soft As a Dove" from 'Magnification' (2001): YESterdays

Yes, “Soft As a Dove” from ‘Magnification’ (2001): YESterdays

Songs on this album were credited to Yes as a band, but “Soft As a Dove” sounded like another classic joint effort from Jon Anderson and Steve Howe.