How Wild Cherry’s Self-Titled Debut Went Way Beyond ‘Play That Funky Music’
Released 50 years ago this month, ‘Wild Cherry’ built on the success of their chart-topping first single to become a freakingly fine funkfest.
On Second Thought
Marvin Gaye’s Still Deeply Relevant ‘What’s Going On’ Sought Salvation in a Broken World
Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ arrived 55 years ago today as one of the 1970s’ most important records – and one of music’s most complex joys.
When Aerosmith Got Even Darker – and Heavier – on the Aptly Named ‘Rocks’
Released 50 years ago today, ‘Rocks’ is considered by some people to be the best Aerosmith album – and for good reason.
Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays’ ‘As Falls Wichita’ Took Us on a Stunning, Cinematic Journey
When Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays’ ‘As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls’ arrived 45 years ago this month, it sounded like nothing else in my record collection.
Why the Doors Blew Everyone’s Mind (Again) With ‘L.A. Woman’
The Doors largely returned to their roots 55 years ago this week with ‘L.A. Woman,’ a no-frills blues-rock platter where every single song is a showstopper.
James Taylor’s ‘Mud Slide Slim’ Was Both a Huge Hit, and a Comfy Return
Released 55 years ago this month, the instantly familiar ‘Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon’ meant James Taylor wouldn’t go down as a one-shot wonder.
Why the Mesmerizing ‘On an Island’ Marked David Gilmour’s Solo Peak
Released 20 years ago this month, David Gilmour’s ‘On An Island’ reconnected with an early Pink Floyd sound – and gave us a road map to ‘The Endless River.’
Why Tommy Shaw’s Left Turn on ‘The Great Divide’ Made Perfect Sense
Bluegrass, I like. Styx’s Tommy Shaw, I like. But together? You couldn’t help but wonder, 15 years ago, if ‘The Great Divide’ would even work – but it did.
Pat Metheny – ’80/81′ (1980): Track by Track Through a Classic
Released 45 years ago, ’80/81′ visits “out” material and more straight-ahead jazz, with a healthy introduction to Pat Metheny’s idea of “folk jazz.”
Reconsidering the Beatles’ Second Film ‘Help!’
Director Richard Lester may have been successful in capturing the Beatles’ charisma in ‘Help!,’ but Mike Tiano notes that film isn’t without its issues.
