One Track Mind: John Mellencamp, “Sometimes There’s God” from Plain Spoken (2014)
John Mellencamp sounds wisened, but he also sounds heartened.
Something Else!
Something Else! sneak peek: Mark Elf, “A Little Diddy” from Returns 2014 (2014)
After eight long years away, Mark Elf isn’t creeping back into things.
Steely Dan Sunday: The Five Best Steely Dan Covers
We find a wide diversity of artists applying a wide diversity of styles.
Gimme Five: Songs of despair by Townes Van Zandt, Nick Drake, Phil Ochs, others
A visit with singers who know what it means to lose heart.
One Track Mind: Lucinda Williams, “East Side of Town” from Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone (2014)
Every detail is given the kind of weight only Lucinda Williams can provide.
‘They started nicknaming me the Colonel’: Hilarious moment led to new moniker for Steve Cropper
Steve Cropper says his direct approach actually traces back to childhood.
Tony and Pete Levin – Levin Brothers (2014)
The Levins offer a jazz album of warm intimacy, and no small connective power.
Books: Encyclopedia Walking: Pop Culture and the Alchemy Of Rock ‘n’ Roll, by Jon Kanis
Jon Kanis’ writing is interesting, intelligent, and intimate.
Something Else! sneak peek: Aram Bajakian + Julia Úlehla, “Ej, lásko, lásko” (2014)
Bajakian and Úlehla make “Ej, lásko, lásko” fresh and edgy, despite it’s long-ago, faraway origins.
Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, the Mavericks, LeAnn Rimes + others – Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Motley Crue (2014)
There’s not nearly enough “outlaw” here to justify the name of this album.
