Spotlight

Vinyl

Inside the classic pre-Tommy Shaw moment that predicted everything for Styx

This Dennis DeYoung-led track illustrates all that Styx aspired to on the way to becoming one of the biggest late-1970s arena rock bands.

Vinyl

Smokey Robinson still thrilled by George Harrison’s long-ago tribute: ‘A wonderful, flattering thing’

George Harrison paid tribute to Smokey Robinson both with the Beatles and as a solo artist, including a key cut on ‘Thirty Three and 1/3’ from November 1976.

Here's how Genesis' 'The Musical Box' gave rise to Eddie Van Halen

Here’s how Genesis’ ‘The Musical Box’ gave rise to Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen must have been paying close attention to Steve Hackett’s unique approach to the song, released in November 1971 on Genesis’ ‘Nursery Cryme.’

Vinyl

Brian Eno’s Small Craft on a Milk Sea has only gotten better with time

When Brian Eno’s ‘Small Craft on a Milk Sea’ arrived in November 2010, I was disappointed. You expect him to be ever changing.

Vinyl

Steve Cropper sparked a key moment in the Blues Brothers legend: ‘They started dancing and clowning around’

The Blues Brothers’ ‘Briefcase Full of Blues,’ released on Nov. 28, 1978, was all but complete when Steve Cropper made a career-changing suggestion.

How the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour was almost, but not quite, saved

How the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour was almost, but not quite, saved

Pity the poor Brits, who didn’t initially receive the full 11-song U.S. version of the Beatles’ ‘Magical Mystery Tour,’ released on Nov. 27, 1967.

Vinyl

Mats Gustafsson, on the state of jazz: Something Else! Interview

Mats Gustafsson joins Sammy Stein in a brutally honest discussion on the industry, travel these days and the resistance required to make good jazz.

Phil Collins found himself at a crossroads with Hello, I Must Be Going!

Phil Collins found himself at a crossroads with Hello, I Must Be Going!

Released this month in 1982, Phil Collins’ ‘Hello, I Must Be Going!’ was a disparate collection of moods, tempos and personas – a reflection of both his career and private life.

Vinyl

The folkiest moment on Queen’s Night at the Opera was still a trip

Released this month in 1975, Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’ boasted a stunning musical promiscuity. They even found a way to take folk rock to outer space.

The Beatles' Love was a worthy concept not taken far enough

The Beatles’ Love was a worthy concept not taken far enough

The Beatles’ Love, released this month in 2006, was at its best when George Martin got outside of convention – but that didn’t happen nearly enough.