Other News

In Praise of the Revolutionary Quietness of James Taylor's 'Sweet Baby James'

In Praise of the Revolutionary Quietness of James Taylor’s ‘Sweet Baby James’

Issued 50 years ago this month, ‘Sweet Baby James’ showcased a calm defiance of trends, catapulting James Taylor to superstardom.

Al Stewart, Don Dixon, Carla Olson, Peter Case + Others - 'For the Record: A Tribute to John Wicks' (2020)

Al Stewart, Don Dixon, Carla Olson, Peter Case + Others – ‘For the Record: A Tribute to John Wicks’ (2020)

John Wicks would be touched by the care these talented artists put into keeping his music and spirit alive.

Vinyl

Pat Metheny – ‘From This Place’ (2020)

Broadly speaking, ‘From This Place’ is the classic Pat Metheny plot updated with new twists; that is still miles better than what the vast majority of artists are capable of today – jazz or not.

Chicago, "Please Hold On" from 'Chicago 17' (1984): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Please Hold On” from ‘Chicago 17’ (1984): Saturdays in the Park

Am I the only one who thinks that the deletion of the first bridge from “Please Hold On” on the reissues of 1984’s ‘Chicago 17’ is criminal!?

Matthew Shipp + Nate Wooley - 'What If?' (2019)

Matthew Shipp + Nate Wooley – ‘What If?’ (2019)

Two original voices on piano and trumpet combine for a third, unified original voice, as Matthew Shipp and Nate Wooley find a telepathic communion.

Ozzy Osbourne - 'Ordinary Man' (2020)

Ozzy Osbourne – ‘Ordinary Man’ (2020)

Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Ordinary Man’ is extremely difficult to listen to – not because of the content, but because it sounds like utter crap.

A Legacy Reclaimed: Robbie Robertson and the Band

A Legacy Reclaimed: Robbie Robertson and the Band

A new reissue of the Band’s self-titled second album paired with a group of originals by Robbie Robertson to remind us of their towering influence.

Jeff Coffey, "This Is It" from 'Origins: Singers and Songs that Made Me' (2020): One Track Mind

Jeff Coffey, “This Is It” from ‘Origins: Singers and Songs that Made Me’ (2020): One Track Mind

Former Chicago singer and bassist Jeff Coffey tackles this Kenny Loggins classic with an all-out embrace of its formidable original vocal challenges.

Giorgi Mikadze - 'Georgian Microjamz' (2020)

Giorgi Mikadze – ‘Georgian Microjamz’ (2020)

Giorgi Mikadze tells a lot about himself on his first record as a leader. He is telling us he’s proud of where he’s from and quite honestly, he’s got plenty to be proud of.

Steve Hackett: Reprises & Recapitulations Revelations

Steve Hackett: Reprises & Recapitulations Revelations

Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett joins Mike Tiano to discuss reprises and recapitulations, two of the hallmarks of progressive rock.