Not yet recognized as the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas had gone some time without a hit by the time she signed with Atlantic’s Cotillion subsidiary in the early 1970s. She’d last charted a pop hit in 1966, and had only gotten to No. 42 with her mostRead More

If there’s a real-world sensibility to this record, a firm grasp on the passion it takes to withstand hard times, you can credit Jim Grant’s resume as a working man. If there’s a remarkable eloquence to his phrasing, look to this Chicago vocalist’s time at the Bloom School of Jazz.Read More

A primer on Yes alum Billy Sherwood’s subsequent solo career, including work with ex-bandmate Chris Squire and with Circa.

Jack Bruce’s forthcoming Silver Rails isn’t a long-hoped-for return to his greatness with Cream, a fiery fusion excursion in the manner of his more recent work with Spectrum Road, or something else entirely. It’s actually a little of all of that You May Also Like: Jack Bruce and Robin TrowerRead More

John Oates wrote or co-wrote some 82 songs between 1972-2003 as part of Hall and Oates, including the No. 1 hits “I Can’t Go For That” and “Out of Touch.” So, really, it’s easy to understand his interest in mixing it up with some new collaborators. You May Also Like:Read More

Nikki Lerner’s Longings isn’t the sad embrace its title seems to indicate. Instead, it’s a journey of understanding, an attempt to make sense of this life’s unknowable complexities — with all of the small triumphs, the sudden pitfalls and the ardent moments associated with such things. You May Also Like:Read More

Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs brought a tractor-trailer’s worth of hits — both as solo artists and with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, respectively — to this setlist. More important, however, was their simpatico sense of musical camaraderie. You May Also Like: Michael McDonald, “Find It InRead More

The concert featured in this newly released film took place in the year after what looks to be the final appearance of Emerson Lake and Palmer. Still, it’s clear that Carl Palmer had much more to add, as Decade — over the course of 12 tracks captured live on OctoberRead More

Chico Hamilton rose to individual fame in the 1950s with an Eric Dolphy-fired chamber jazz unit, but there was always something angular, something interesting and offbeat happening — even dating back to 1959’s That Hamilton Man, an album dominated by this quiet melancholy. You May Also Like: Chris Stamey, “MakeRead More

John Gorka’s music reflects his life as a working troubadour, no matter how long it takes the albums to arrive. In the case of Bright Side of Down, it’s been five years since the folk singer’s most recent album of originals. You May Also Like: No related posts.