by Tom Johnson As a long-time fan of the group, I’ve simply come to expect to be perplexed by what electronic-noise pioneers Autechre put out. And, as it turns out, the more perplexed I am upon immediate inspection of the new material, the longer I tend to be interested. FirstRead More

The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is a band that’s clearly relishes keeping people guessing — down to the fictional person in the band name You May Also Like: Chris Combs – Combsy (2017) Guy Davis – ‘Be Ready When I Call You’ (2021)

by Tom Johnson For their major label debut, the Decemberists didn’t pull any punches. If anything, they seemed to have gone off the deep end, as if attempting to get the label to cry fowl. But they played along (“13 minute songs? Sure, why not?”) and we the listeners benefitedRead More

Tony Bennett, 85 this year and still singing with great dimension and style, is set to release of Tony Bennett: Duets II, Sept. 20 on RPM/Columbia Records. Here’s an early preview of a key track You May Also Like: Jazz Reedist Daniel Bennett on How Musicians Can Thrive In (andRead More

Joseph Allen White, at one point during Things Change, lays out the central conundrum facing the heartbroken: “How do you make new tomorrows,” White sings during “Circle,” “when you can’t erase the past?” You May Also Like: No related posts.

One more time before … What? Let’s back up a handful of years. At that point, me and TheWife™ had been married for going on ten years and were living out here in the country in our big ‘ole house, working and taking care of my parents You May AlsoRead More

From the first, it seems, guitarist Bill Frisell has sought to synthesize jazz with country and folk themes, and that impulse works to tremendous effect on this deft remake of John Lennon’s “#9 Dream,” from a forthcoming tribute recording You May Also Like: Bill Frisell – Music IS (2018) BillRead More

Growing older has made Nick Lowe grayer, a little quieter, but no less clever, no less relevant, and certainly no less off-handedly absorbing. He is the living, breathing, guitar-playing, Buddy Holly shade-wearing embodiment of the old saw about getting better with age. You May Also Like: East Axis [Matthew Shipp,Read More

by Derrick Lord Faith is a difficult and complicated thing. If you understand that much you likely also realize that even the strongest faith is doomed to eventually be tested by hard times. You May Also Like: The Blind Boys of Alabama’s Down in New Orleans added a new musicalRead More

Somber, but I really like this. Glen Campbell is definitely going out on top.