Dave Stryker – Messin’ With Mister T (2015)
‘Messin’ With Mister T’ is Dave Stryker’s grand show of appreciation for his former boss, and it only makes us miss tenor sax giant Stanley Turrentine even more.
Something Else!
Toto, “A Million Miles Away” from Turn Back (1981): Toto Tuesdays
Steve Lukather was typically Toto’s go-to guy for ballads, but this David Paich gem shows he’s not the only one who can handle more emotional fare.
The Blues Magoos, “Jingle Bells!” (1967): One Track Mind
Grab a glass of eggnog, switch on the lava lamp and tune in and turn on to the Blues Magoos and their happening holiday greetings.
John Ginty – No Filter (2015)
Hammond B3 master John Ginty made a well-rounded roots rock record that’s of the caliber of Randolph, The Black Keys or the Tedeschi-Trucks Band.
Frank Sinatra – ‘All or Nothing At All’ (2015): Movies
No other project may better capture the complex life of Frank Sinatra, born 100 years ago on Dec. 12, 1915, than HBO’s new film ‘Sinatra: All or Nothing at All.’
Amorphis – ‘Under the Red Cloud’ (2015)
In a year that, for me at least, has been largely uninspiring on the music front, Amorphis’ ‘Under the Red Cloud’ is a glittering jewel.
Scott DuBois – Winter Light (2015)
With his composing pen, leadership and guitar, Scott DuBois has painted a Monet with ‘Winter Light’.
John Lennon, “I Found Out” from Plastic Ono Band (1970): One Track Mind
Issued on Dec. 11, 1970, ‘Plastic Ono Band’ found John Lennon confronting demons, talismans and heroes – but he never rocked harder than he does here.
Eric Clapton – Slowhand at 70 (2015)
‘Slowhand at 70’ finds Eric Clapton reflecting on a storied past, yet his still-powerful artistry places the guitarist firmly in the present.
Danzig – Skeletons (2015)
Glenn Danzig has a pretty good history with covers, and ‘Skeletons’ makes a direct reference to that with another Elvis Presley song.
