Miles Davis pushed free-form fusion to the very limit with On the Corner
Released on Oct. 11, 1972, Miles Davis’ ‘On the Corner’ remains fresh and funky. So, why isn’t it more widely accepted as a fusion masterpiece?
Articles by: S. Victor Aaron
Billie Davies – Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon (2015)
Drummer/composer Billie Davies’ latest stop in her musical journey is a fruitful pairing of what she brought into New Orleans with what New Orleans brought to her.
The Pretenders took an unusual path back to relevance on Break Up the Concrete
With ‘Break Up the Concrete,’ released Oct. 7, 2008, the Pretenders found their old edge – but not with a return to hard-driving punk styles.
Noah Preminger – Pivot: Live at the 55 Bar (2015)
Noah Preminger’s own story is increasingly that about a tenor saxophonist of unquestioned talent with passion and an appetite for risk taking. All of those things are on display on ‘Pivot: Live at the 55 Bar’.
Keith Richards, “Take It So Hard” from Talk Is Cheap (1988): One Track Mind
‘Talk Is Cheap,’ released by the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards on Oct. 3, 1988, was an island of rock and roll grit in a sea of shallow glitter.
Taj Mahal’s rangy, guest-packed Maestro was perfectly titled
Every song from Taj Mahal’s ‘Maestro,’ released on Sept. 30, 2008, was a change up. He’s a Swiss Army knife of the blues.
Peter Hum – Alpha Moment (2015)
Once again, noted Ottawa music critic Peter Hum walks the walk with a mainstream jazz album full of strong compositions and strong performances.
Todd Rundgren’s Arena was a cool return to football stadium-sized rock
With ‘Arena,’ released on Sept. 29, 2008, Todd Rundgren again created music best heard cranked to 10 – loud enough to hear on the very back row.
Walter Becker’s ’11 Tracks of Whack’ Took Chances Steely Dan Never Did
Walter Becker’s ’11 Tracks of Whack,’ released on Sept. 27, 1994, is both a neglected minor treasure and a delightfully peculiar album.
Ben Folds’ Way to Normal pointed the way back to a few %*@#-ing Five-era successes
Ben Folds’ ‘Way to Normal,’ released in September 2008, found him recalling past glories, even as he became ever more potty mouthed.
