The contemporary folk group Erwilian uses this project to transform traditional spirituals and praise music into something more universal, taking away the specifics that comes with attaching lyrics. The results are stunning, as refined as they are inspirational You May Also Like: How Neil Young’s ‘Le Noise’ Found Light inRead More

How busy is John Payne, and his band Asia Featuring John Payne? Here’s his 2013 schedule: “More videos, more singles, the album release, weekend warrior dates and perhaps a fanfest spectacular with ex-members in Vegas this summer.” You May Also Like: Asia [with John Payne], “Ghost in the Mirror” fromRead More

Justin Hayward’s Spirits of the Western Sky, due on February 26, 2013 from Eagle Rock Entertainment, was recorded in Genoa, Italy and in Nashville — and it sounds just as varied. On his first solo effort in 17 years, Hayward moves from acoustic balladry to soaring orchestral songs, from experimentsRead More

Justin Hayward, songwriter and lead singer with the Moody Blues, takes a rare turn away from the band with the release later this month of Spirits of the Western Sky, his first solo effort since 1996’s The View From The Hill. You May Also Like: The Moody Blues’ John Lodge,Read More

Chris Belleau is not just knee deep in the blues. He’s at least that far in on traditional Cajun, and up to his ankles in country. He’s even got a toe in classic mid-1960s rock. You May Also Like: Chris Robinson Brotherhood – Barefoot In The Head (2017)

I tried — I really did — to shake Herb Alpert. His silky smooth trumpet musings had been my introduction to something like jazz, though, and I’ve always associated his music with a time of unvarnished musical enthusiasm. You May Also Like: Paul McCartney – ‘Tug of War’ (1982; 2015Read More

Past associations with Cannonball Adderley and the Headhunters seemed to point toward a new melding of R&B and jazz here. Instead, Michael Wolff and Mike Clark have created a nimble, adventurous trio recording You May Also Like: Cannonball Adderley – ‘Poppin’ in Paris: Live at L’Olympia 1972′ (2024) Rob DixonRead More

Underneath Bobby Rush’s good-timing, groove-slinging persona is a canny musician, someone who traverses musical styles with such a broad, contagious smile that he makes it all look deceptively easy. You May Also Like: ‘Presto’ Proved That Everything I Thought About Rush, and Fate, Was Wrong Rush – ‘2112: 40th AnniversaryRead More

Bill Frisell’s appearance last Saturday with Marianne Faithfull at Paris’ New Morning club was another reminder of the jazz guitarist’s often underrated affinity for pop and rock music. You May Also Like: Bill Frisell’s Timeless ‘Live’ Opened Up a New Musical World for Me Bill Frisell – Music IS (2018)Read More

Jimi Hendrix’s legacy has been so brazenly, endlessly plundered, it’s fair to approach any so-called “new” material from the late guitarist with a deep distrust. Circumspection this time soon transforms into pure joy. You May Also Like: Jimi Hendrix – ‘Songs For Groovy Children: The Fillmore East Concerts’ (2019) BurntRead More