Ornette Coleman, an inscrutable genius, gave jazz its freedom
There were technical things that made Ornette Coleman’s work great. But stressing that gives away the one thing that really mattered: Its freedom.
Articles by: Something Else!
Steve Cropper Still Can’t Get Over Producing Jeff Beck: ‘How Is He Doing That?’
As Steve Cropper watched Jeff Beck at work on 1972’s ‘Jeff Beck Group,’ he’d focus on his hands and think: “You can’t get that there.” Then, Beck would.
Paul McCartney’s attempt to revitalize Wings with ‘Back to the Egg’ fell just short
‘Back to the Egg,’ released on June 8, 1979, showed Paul McCartney could plug into the new wave zeitgeist. Well, when he wanted to, anyway.
Yardbirds welcome back ‘Birdland’-era frontman John Idan: ‘I learned every lick I could find’
John Idan, long before he joined the Yardbirds the first time, was into the harder-edged music of the day. Then, something happened.
Free-form Monkees humor once drove Hollywood legend to curse: ‘I hate these f–ing kids’
The Monkees TV show was designed toward improvisation. But not every guest star meshed with the Monkees’ gonzo approach.
Pete Townshend on why the Who lends itself to classical reinterpretation: ‘Pulled all the stops’
Pete Townshend breaks down the Who’s individual strengths when it comes to recasting their music in an orchestral setting.
Two modern developments hurtled Hall and Oates back to prominence: ‘It resonated with them’
How did Hall and Oates become hip again after years as too-often-overlooked hitmakers? John Oates explains.
Steve Cropper on the Beatles’ flirtation with Stax: ‘Didn’t happen for a lot of different reasons’
At the peak of their powers, the Beatles considered recording an album at Stax Records in Memphis. Steve Cropper sorts out why it never happened.
The Monkees once tricked critics into giving them a fair hearing: ‘It’s so funny’
Micky Dolenz says some people never accepted the latter-day Monkees as a creative force – until Mike Nesmith came up with a creative idea.
Mavis Staples recalls lasting impact of the Band’s ‘Last Waltz,’ Rick Danko’s humor + Bob Dylan’s hair
Mavis Staples says her appearance as a guest on the the Band’s ‘Last Waltz’ film forever reshaped not just her life but her setlist.
