I would like to be all quiet and happy and wish everybody a beautiful holiday season but I’m just not feeling it. In fact, I’m pissed off, a little depressed, and ready to punch the next person I see. You May Also Like: The Jerry Granelli Trio – ‘Plays VinceRead More

We saw our share of standout instrumentalists, from Julian Lage to Rudresh Mahanthappa to Pat Martino. But, as this lists attests, 2011 might rightly be called the Year of the Big Band. You May Also Like: Julian Lage – ‘Squint’ (2021)

There are several reasons why this non-regular release is a sleeper pick as my favorite latter-day Chicago album.

All good music connoisseurs are already familiar with Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel who for more than 30 years now, have been making the world smile with the ear candy they create with the Spongetones You May Also Like: Stepford Knives, “Blue In the Face” (2020): One Track Mind MikeRead More

I can’t help it, but I cringe when hearing that a musician has had their first child. We know what’s coming. The new album where the happy new parental unit goes all gooey about this new life and how wonderful it all is. Holy crap, that sounds cynical. Ahem …Read More

One of the more interesting moments on the new collection Cameo Parkway: Holiday Hits comes at the very end, as an impossibly young Bob Seger and an early band called the Last Heard scurry through this original Christmas romp. You May Also Like: Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band,Read More

Today, we climb inside the way-back machine for look at my favorite reissues from 2011, a list that includes established acts like the Kinks and Hollies as well as lost-classic faves like the Strawberry Alarm Clock and Neighb’rhood Childr’n. Here they are, in alphabetical order … FILET OF SOUL –Read More

Clarinetist Eddie Daniels, appearing last February at the Library of Congress’ Coolidge Auditorium, displays an almost telepathic symbiosis alongside pianist Roger Kellaway. You May Also Like: Robert Walter’s 20th Congress – ‘Spacesuit’ (2018) Here’s Chippy – Things We Left Behind (2018): Something Else! Sneak Peek TV Tunes by Tame Impala,Read More

Along with John Fahey, American composer Robbie Basho helped redefine the steel-stringed guitar as a concert instrument. You May Also Like: Exquisite Gender on Their Powerful Debut ‘Solve For X’: Something Else! Interview A Legacy Reclaimed: Robbie Robertson and the Band Robbie Dupree, Chicago, Yes’ Peter Banks + Others: FiveRead More

“My Valentine,” with a guest appearance by Eric Clapton, is one of two original compositions on Paul McCartney’s 2012 standards album.