Spotlight

Past the Big Hits, Dire Straits' 'Brothers in Arms' Offered Moving Examination of War

Past the Big Hits, Dire Straits’ ‘Brothers in Arms’ Offered Moving Examination of War

Released on May 13, 1985, Dire Straits’ ‘Brothers in Arms’ likely surprises return visitors with its depth of intellect and emotion.

Vinyl

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 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.

Vinyl

Please, don’t categorize Hall and Oates this way: ‘It’s a racist term’

For years, maybe from the beginning, the music of Hall and Oates has been described by the same musical term – and Daryl Hall despises it.

Vinyl

Earl Slick goes from stealing their licks to joining the Yardbirds: ‘I following this band from day one’

The Yardbirds have added a stalwart fan in Earl Slick, who frankly admits to copping more than a few tricks from the band’s early records.

Vinyl

Inside Booker T. and the MGs’ stirring ’90s-era comeback: ‘It went by like a rocket’

A single moment propelled Booker T. and the MGs toward a long-deserved return to the spotlight in the 1990s. Steve Cropper remembers.

Vinyl

Agree with it or not, we need political records like Neil Young’s Living With War

‘Living with War,’ released on May 8, 2006, once more found Neil Young sandblasting away at the problems he saw with America.

Vinyl

Ian Gillan says Deep Purple isn’t focused on loudness anymore: ‘It’s a vast improvement’

Ian Gillan talks frankly about Deep Purple’s legendary ’70s-era status as the world’s loudest band, and how things have changed since then.

Vinyl

Left Lane Cruiser, “Dirty Spliff Blues,” from Dirty Spliff Blues (2015): Something Else! sneak peek

In advising not to mix marijuana with tobacco in your blunt, Left Lane Cruiser is graciously handing out a pro tip. And some more damned nice ‘n’ dirty rock and roll, too.

Vinyl

Charlie Hunter Trio, “Those People” from Let The Bells Ring On (2015): Something Else! sneak peek

Here is an advance listen from the Charlie Hunter Trio’s upcoming ‘Let The Bells Ring On’ album, the tough Memphis groove of “Those People.”