Something Else!

Vinyl

Stephen Stills & Judy Collins – ‘Everybody Knows’ (2017)

Stephen Stills finds the fountain of youth by going back to one of his original muses, Judy Collins, who co-headlines on ‘Everybody Knows.’

Alestorm, Bob Wayne, Alice Cooper, Hellbound Glory + Others: Fred Phillips' Best Metal, Country and Hard Rock of 2017

Alestorm, Bob Wayne, Alice Cooper, Hellbound Glory + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best Metal, Country and Hard Rock of 2017

It was, honestly, a pretty lousy year for music. This list of Best Metal, Country and Hard Rock of 2017 highlights five exceptions, and some key honorable mentions.

Vinyl

Gregory Lewis, with Marc Ribot – Organ Monk Blue (2018)

‘Organ Monk Blue’ sustains Gregory Lewis’ intriguing concept of a Thelonious Monk on the organ. It didn’t hurt that this time Lewis revitalizes the blues along the way, too.

Gene Clark - Firebyrd (1984): On Second Thought

Gene Clark – Firebyrd (1984): On Second Thought

The late Gene Clark’s work never lacked critical praise, but mainstream acceptance was not to be had – and ‘Firebyrd’ was no exception.

Vinyl

Pearring Sound – True Story (2017)

As a protege of Connie Crothers, Jeff Pearring learned the importance of finding his own voice. ‘True Story’ is what happens when that inner voice comes pouring out.

Living Colour, Steve Hackett, David Crosby, Michael McDonald + Others: Preston Frazier's Best Rock and Pop of 2017

Living Colour, Steve Hackett, David Crosby, Michael McDonald + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best Rock and Pop of 2017

Preston Frazier’s Best Rock and Pop of 2017 list touches on projects from established legends, as well as up-and-coming and criminally under-appreciated acts.

Vinyl

Richard Lloyd Giddens Jr. – Mimosas (2017)

Richard Lloyd Giddens Jr.’s ‘Mimosas’ brings in disparate colleagues and disparate composing pens, and molds them into a united musical statement that one can sense portrays the complexion of its singular leader.

Vinyl

Albert Ayler Quartet – Copenhagen Live 1964 (2017)

Albert Ayler’s violent alchemy of Africa and Europe imbues ‘Copenhagen Live 1964’ with historical importance because more than fifty years hence, these ideas put into practice sound as radical today as they did back then.

Vinyl

Eric Revis – Sing Me Some Cry (2017)

Full of vigor and moxie from start to finish, ‘Sing Me Some Cry’ harnesses the savvy of its participants, but that vast potential is reached only because Eric Revis has the insight to get so much out of them, and they in turn get the most out of Revis’ compositions.

Vinyl

Guy Capecelatro III – Hope Is the Thing With Feathers (2017)

Spurred by his wife Pam’s terminal illness, singer, songwriter and guitarist Guy Capecelatro III translated his emotions onto tape.