Why Randy Newman Got So Angry About an Episode of Dick Cavett’s Show
Randy Newman released a protest song on this date 45 years ago directly referencing a TV show that had enraged him.
Spotlight
How Mike Keneally’s Comeback on ‘The Universe Will Provide’ Fulfilled All of His Promise
‘The Universe Will Provide’ arrived 15 years ago this week at a career crossroads for Mike Keneally. He somehow managed to take everything to the next level.
Trade Winds and Foreign Tongues From Ozone Mama, Gin Lady, Baby Woodrose + Others: Gimme Five
These bands can all rock as hard as any other band from any other place, which shows that maybe the importance of location isn’t such a big deal anymore.
Jazz’s Best Last Records by John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy + Others: Gimme Five
John Coltrane’s ‘Interstellar Space,’ released 45 years ago this month, is just one of jazz’s greatest final recordings.
Bjork’s Vocal-Focused ‘Medulla’ is Still Filled With Countless Surprises
Issued 15 years ago today, Björk’s ‘Medulla’ jettisoned every-day instruments in favor of the purest one: the human voice.
Why ‘Wakafrika’ Should Have (Finally) Made Manu Dibango a Huge Star
The star-packed ‘Wakafrika,’ released 25 years ago, somehow didn’t raise Manu Dibango’s profile in the U.S.
The Beatles, “Old Brown Shoe” from ‘Past Masters’ (1969): Deep Beatles
It took a while, but “Old Brown Shoe” has emerged from the shadow of being a Beatles B-side.
How Bachman-Turner Overdrive Pushed Back Against Prog With ‘Not Fragile’
‘Not Fragile’ hurtled Bachman-Turner Overdrive to stardom 45 years ago this month with an old-fashioned recipe of hard rock rooted in the blues.
When the Libertines Finally Broke Through the Media Frenzy
Issued 15 years ago this week, the Libertines’ surprisingly nuanced self-titled album helped me take the band seriously.
ZZ Top’s “El Diablo,” “Thunderbird,” “Rough Boy” + Others: Gimme Five
We returned to some old favorites as ZZ Top kicks off their 50th anniversary tour tonight.
