I first heard (and heard of) Lily Allen on “Saturday Night Live.” It used to be that I’d watch that show just for the musical guests. In recent years, that part of the show (OK, the whole show) has been way more spotty. So out comes this Lily Allen. FlowerRead More

I know what you’re thinking – three basses … another Spinal Tap opus? Nope, sorry. If it’s not Spinal Tap, then next to the drum solo, the bass solo is just about the most reviled thing at concerts You May Also Like: Four Jacks and a Jill, “Master Jack” (1968):Read 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

Even though I have been burned many times in the past, I still tend to take chances on projects on John Zorn’s Tzadik label. I tend to steer away from his pure-noise exploration, as I simply don’t have the appreciation for it that I wish I did, but I have,Read More

1970-1975 was one of the most creative, if not weird, periods of musical history, and that goes for Genesis as well. The most artistically exciting material of the band’s career, which is all covered on Box Set 3 (1970-1975), was produced during these years. You May Also Like: No relatedRead More

Maybe it’s a “sophomore slump” of sorts to some — despite this being their third album — since their big break came with the film “Garden State” just after 2003’s Chutes Too Narrow was all the rage. Will they really change your life? I think a lot of people thoughtRead More

There are many possible ‘correct’ answers to the question “What makes a jazz drummer interesting?” Groove? Yes. Chops? Maybe. For me, it all boils down to musicality. You May Also Like: Jack DeJohnette, with Ravi Coltrane and Matthew Garrison – In Movement (2016) Jack DeJohnette, Larry Grenadier, John Medeski, JohnRead More

There was a time when I was pretty consumed with, and you could make an argument that it could be considered “obsessed with,” Robert Fripp’s Guitar Craft legion You May Also Like: No related posts.

Here’s the story of how a holiday music CD came to me by way of a Cheap Trick show I attended during the early 1990s. You May Also Like: Giancarlo Tossani’s Big Monitors, “O’Neal’s Porch” (2021): One Track Mind

Tony Bennett’s warm, inviting delivery would seem perfectly suited to seasonal music — and it is. You May Also Like: Jazz Reedist Daniel Bennett on How Musicians Can Thrive In (and After) the Pandemic Age [Part 1 of 2] Daniel Bennett Group – ‘New York Nerve’ (2020)