Richard Thompson is a traveler, always has been, and “Beatnik Walking” — both in its lyric, and in its creation story — speaks to that.

Les McCann’s free-form soul-jazz experiment ‘Invitation to Openness’ is the sound of someone loosing himself from the bonds of expectation.

Released as part of ‘Tug of War’ in April 1982, “Take It Away” is McCartney’s last best pop hit – but there was a darker undercurrent at work.

As a vehicle for this promising woodwinds talent from Poland Mat Walerian, his encounter with Matthew Shipp on ‘Live at Okuden’ makes good on that promise.

“Oh Daddy” got Adrian Belew a solo deal with Atlantic, who released ‘Mr. Music Head’ on April 28, 1989. The worry was that he’d be forever saddled with it.

This Beatles cover shows how unique original guitarist Peter Banks was, and how important his contributions were to the early Yes sound.

JD Allen’s “A Throng of Millions Can Be One,” just one of many standout moments on ‘Bloom,’ feels like the birth of a new jazz hymn.

A benefit remake of one of Steve Hackett’s most memorable instrumentals gives us a rare musical – as well as altruistic – reason to listen.

Marking the anniversary of Pete Ham’s birth on April 27, 1947, Beverly Paterson takes a look back at some of Badfinger’s greatest musical moments.

Graham Parker and the Rumour are all R&B-kissed coolness and trenchant aloofness here. In other words, they’re just what you want them to be.