Tracy Chapman Smartly Updated Her Approach on ‘Our Bright Future’
Tracy Chapman stayed true to her narrative vision on ‘Our Bright Future,’ issued 10 years ago today. She just added a few intriguing musical wrinkles.
Spotlight
Susan Tedeschi’s Varied ‘Back to the River’ Set the Stage for Greatness
Released 10 years ago this week, ‘Back to the River’ once again blended blues, R&B, gospel and rock. But Susan Tedeschi was headed toward something big.
Boz Scaggs Didn’t Take the Standard Approach to Standards on ‘Speak Low’
The West Coast jazz-inflected ‘Speak Low,’ released 10 years ago today, was a nifty reinvention of the Boz Scaggs aesthetic.
Dave Meder, “The Old Rugged Cross” from ‘Passage’ (2018): Something Else! video premiere
This gospel tune has been covered by countless artists, but Dave Meder’s jazzier treatment shows just how transcendent “The Old Rugged Cross” really is.
John Lennon – ‘Gimme Some Truth’ and ‘Imagine’ (2018): Movies
Younger generations who think Beyoncé invented the visual album should be shown the conceptual film John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-directed in 1971.
Ry Cooder’s ‘The UFO Has Landed’ Finally Put His Amazing Career in Context
Released 10 years ago this month, ‘UFO Has Landed’ was definitive in a way the always-restless Ry Cooder never quite allowed himself to be.
The Beatles, “I’m Looking Through You” from ‘Rubber Soul’ (1965): Deep Beatles
“I’m Looking Through You” paints a vivid picture of a troubled relationship, but another muse may have inspired this Beatles track: Bob Dylan.
Sonny Rollins Became a Colossus Once More With ‘Road Shows Vol. 1’
Released a decade ago this month, ‘Road Shows Vol. 1’ reframed Sonny Rollins as jazz’s most important living saxophonist.
Buena Vista Social Club Captured Already-Lost History on ‘At Carnegie Hall’
Released 10 years ago this month, ‘At Carnegie Hall’ remains the most complete testament to the Buena Vista Social Club’s sizzling mid-1990s Cuban revival.
How Paul Allen Saved the Seattle Cinerama
In memory of Paul Allen, we’re returning to Mike Tiano’s examination of the late Microsoft co-founder’s role in preserving the Seattle Cinerama Theater.
