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‘You’ve Heard These Hands,’ by Don Randi (2015): Books

Keyboard player Don Randi takes us deeper into the often-overlooked world of those talented sidemen known as the Wrecking Crew.

Vinyl

Los Lobos, Patrick Moraz, Geoff Downes + others: Preston Frazier’s Five Recommended Stocking Stuffer CDs

A pair of musicians with Yes affiliations are among Preston Frazier’s recommendations for Best of 2015 gift ideas.

Paul McCartney's willingness to fail made Band on the Run an enduring masterpiece

Paul McCartney’s willingness to fail made Band on the Run an enduring masterpiece

‘Band on the Run,’ released on Dec. 5, 1973, pushes Paul McCartney to new places, as he incorporates every part of his pop genius.

Kit O’Toole’s Top Beatles Albums, Books, Collectibles and Movies for 2015

Kit O’Toole’s Top Beatles Albums, Books, Collectibles and Movies for 2015

Kit O’Toole counts down the best Beatles-related releases of the past year, ranging from books to CDs to DVDs to calendars and more.

Mr. Mister's brilliant Pull simply arrived at the wrong time

Mr. Mister’s brilliant Pull simply arrived at the wrong time

Largely uncategorizable, Mr. Mister’s ‘Pull’ would finally be released five years ago after decades of neglect. It was worth the wait.

Vinyl

How Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke on the Water’ ‘almost got left off the album’

Inspired by a Dec. 4, 1971 blaze at Montreux, “Smoke on the Water” nearly missed being included on Deep Purple’s ‘Machine Head.’ Roger Glover explains.

Vinyl

Billy Sherwood on Citizen, Yes’ Cruise to the Edge: Something Else! Interview

Billy Sherwood goes in depth with Douglas Harr on his new solo project ‘Citizen,’ and discusses Yes’ surprise setlist addition during Cruise to the Edge.

Frank Sinatra's Trilogy offered one final thunderous triumph

Frank Sinatra’s Trilogy offered one final thunderous triumph

Frank Sinatra would enter a studio again only a handful of times after ‘Trilogy’ arrived 35 years ago. None produced more timeless results than this.

Vinyl

Neil Young’s Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House finds an artist in ascension

‘Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House,’ issued on Dec. 2, 2008, presents Neil Young before he rose to solo stardom. But you’d never know it.

Brand New Heavies' self-titled debut defined a now-lost acid-jazz cool

Brand New Heavies’ self-titled debut defined a now-lost acid-jazz cool

As brilliant as N’Dea Davenport is, I’m drawn more these days to feel-good instrumentals on the Brand New Heavies’ self-titled album from 25 years ago.