As members of Seattle’s vibrant, underrated improvised music scene, Kate Olsen and Naomi Siegel are rising stars there who have pooled their creative talents into the project Syrinx Effect. Olson plays soprano sax and Siegel the trombone, but there’s more to this duo than just two horns. You May AlsoRead More
If you were to go back and check the choices I made at the middle of 2012 for non-jazz albums released the first six months of that year, you’d find the artists being awarded were among the biggest hitmakers You May Also Like: How Robben Ford’s ‘The Inside Story’ IntroducedRead More
Baltimore-based Wye Oak took their name from a majestic 460-year-old tree that was finally felled by a lightning in 2002. Playing off their namesake, drummer Andy Stack and guitarist/vocalist Jenn Wasner make music that is sturdy and resilient You May Also Like: Gentle Giant – ‘Civilian’ (1980; 2022 reissue) GraceRead More
Deliriously unself-conscious, and funky as hell, “Nothing But Your Butt” rumbles out like a throwback, sex-obsessed ’70s soul number — right down to Ironing Board Sam’s recitation of his love interest’s physical dimensions. You May Also Like: Chairmen of the Board – Greatest Hits (1973): Forgotten Series Living Colour, “ComeRead More
Only the 2nd tune in the Metheny catalog and we already have an example of Pat’s Midwestern sound. The chiming opening bars have that open, pastoral sound that Metheny has said is rooted in his Missouri upbringing. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny – ‘MoonDial’ (2024) ‘Bright Size Life’ GaveRead More
It’s been a really solid year for hard rock and metal so far. At six months, I’m often adding mediocre albums that I know won’t make the final list to get to 10. This year, I actually had to make a tough call or two. You May Also Like: WhyRead More
You might think, considering the scorching volume of their shows and the way they huddle together so closely in the middle of the stage, that Neil Young and Crazy Horse are all but deaf. Bassist Billy Talbot clarifies things. You May Also Like: No related posts.
An intriguing mixture of old-school chanteuse and tough-minded modern woman, Hadiza Dockeray puts her foot down on “Somebody Better” — and then uses it to kick the ever-loving ass of some no-account. You May Also Like: No related posts.
It’s always great when a memory just drops from a piece of music, even when the connection is only tangential. A few mornings ago on the way to work, I was listening to The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour. You May Also Like: Toxic: Mat Walerian, Matthew Shipp, William Parker –Read More
Often in sizing up drummers who lead their own bands, I find that they either actively get out front or they get out of the way and let their band mates becomes the focal point. You May Also Like: Allison Miller and Jane Ira Bloom – ‘Tues Days’ (2021)
