Pete Townshend always seems to be mulling over new ideas, always seems to have a concept as fresh as it is grandiose. But then something happens along the way. You May Also Like: Pete Townshend, “Guantanamo,” from Truancy (2015): One Track Mind Pete Townshend on why the Who lends itselfRead More

Thom Douvan, a greasy-great guitarist who’d had an earlier stint gigging with the legendary Funk Brothers, could have used this opportunity to pay too-reverent respects to Motown. But the very fun, very funky Brother Brother is much more than that. You May Also Like: Mabel Greer’s Toyshop, “Big Brother, LittleRead More

Bobby Rush and Dr. John, Louisiana natives with a stake in this, lament how a city of song can so often be riven by violence — in a song that marks an emotional first-ever collaboration on Rush’s just-released new album Decisions. You May Also Like: Cha Wa, “All On ARead More

More American Beauty-era Dead than picking-and-grinning Scruggs redux, the Howlin’ Brothers steer the current fascination with string-band hominess back toward rock music. You May Also Like: ‘Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog’ Was the Howlin’ Wolf Deep Dive We Didn’t Know We Needed How ‘London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions’ Gave Boomer RockersRead More

“My friend Jack has this box,” Young says as A Letter Home begins, in an opening message to his mother — but, by then, it’s already clear that A Letter Home is an album like no other, recorded in a situation so old fashioned as to seem otherworldly. You MayRead More

You’re reminded of Toto’s resiliency as they reanimate familiar tunes but also when the band focuses on deep cuts that complete a larger narrative.

The Badfinger legacy was ultimately left to Joey Molland who, with a group of collaborators over the years that’s included Yes co-founder Tony Kaye, soldiered on.

But for the lack of surface noise, “Needle of Death” could just as well be a just-dug-up vinyl relic from a bygone era — so complete is Neil Young’s trip back into age-old technological nostalgia. Then, the lyrics begin to pierce through the facade of hype built up around itsRead More

Markus Reuter, on a break from work with the Stick Men and the Crimson ProjeKCt, has added some dreamscape U8 Touch Guitar imagery to a new project by Dutch Rall, appropriately dubbed Nocturne Blue. You May Also Like: TEAR [Mark Wingfield and Markus Reuter]: Something Else! Interview Todd Rundgren’s Utopia,Read More

A completely rejuvenated Toto begins its 2014 tour in Japan this week, even as a new concert film is set for release. They’re continuing work on a studio project too, the band’s first since 2006. You May Also Like: Toto, “Oh Why” from ‘Old Is New’ (2018): Toto Tuesdays