Why Billy Corgan’s ‘TheFutureEmbrace’ Still Leaves Me Cold
June 19, 2020Billy Corgan released his solo debut 15 years ago this week, while simultaneously announcing that he was getting back together with the Smashing Pumpkins.
Joseph Yun, emerging jazz guitarist: Something Else! Interview
May 27, 2020Joseph Yun joined Preston Frazier to discuss his debut, subsequent live dates as a leader, and plans for future projects with the legendary David Benoit.
Bluey, “Back Here Again” from ‘Tinted Sky’ (2020): Something Else! sneak peek
May 20, 2020Bluey might owe much of his mannerisms to George Benson, but the Incognito linchpin’s main stock-in-trade has always been his grooves.
How ‘Stanley Clarke Band Featuring Hiromi’ Recalled a Funky Past
June 17, 2020‘Stanley Clarke Band Featuring Hiromi’ reminded us 10 years ago this week that the bassist extraordinaire could still deliver substantial jazz fusion.
How ‘Stanley Clarke Band Featuring Hiromi’ Recalled a Funky Past
June 17, 2020‘Stanley Clarke Band Featuring Hiromi’ reminded us 10 years ago this week that the bassist extraordinaire could still deliver substantial jazz fusion.
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Ed Roth – ‘Can’t Find My Way Home’ (2020)
June 15, 2020 -
Sonar with David Torn – ‘Tranceportation (Volume 2)’ (2020)
June 13, 2020
Darren Barrett – ‘The EVI Sessions: Mr. Steiner’ (2019)
May 29, 2020Darren Barrett takes a side trip to delve into the innovations of Nyle Steiner, creator of the EWI, popularized by such innovators as Michael Brecker.
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Otomo Yoshihide & Chris Pitsiokos ‘Live in Florence’ (2020)
May 25, 2020 -
Nous – ‘Nous III’ (2020)
May 23, 2020
Why Billy Corgan’s ‘TheFutureEmbrace’ Still Leaves Me Cold
June 19, 2020Billy Corgan released his solo debut 15 years ago this week, while simultaneously announcing that he was getting back together with the Smashing Pumpkins.
Yes, “Life On a Film Set” from ‘Fly From Here’ (2011): YESterdays
June 16, 2020The original version of this Geoff Downes / Trevor Horn composition offers one of my favorite vocals from Yes’ departed third frontman Benoit David.
Archon Angel – ‘Fallen’ (2020)
June 10, 2020If I can’t have a Savatage reunion, here’s hoping that Archon Angel keeps the magic alive.
The Successful Failures, “This Girl” from ‘Pack Up Your Shadows’ (2020): One Track Mind
June 18, 2020Sounding like a long-lost Big Star gem, the Successful Failures’ “This Girl” has all the essential markings of a summer hit single.
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Paula Cole – ‘Revolution’ (2019)
June 14, 2020 -
Toto, “Dying On My Feet” from ‘Falling in Between’ (2006): Toto Tuesdays
June 9, 2020
How Elvin Bishop Kept It Seriously Fun on Deep-Fried ‘Red Dog Speaks’
June 15, 2020Released 10 years ago today, ‘Red Dog Speaks’ was a tribute to Elvin Bishop’s tool of the trade, a cherry red 1959 Gibson ES-345.
The Black Keys Hit Upon the Right Rootsy Mix With ‘Brothers’
May 18, 2020With ‘Brothers,’ released 10 years ago today, the blues-loving Black Keys began stirring in the influences of Tony Joe White, Creedence and Crazy Horse.
Incognito – ‘Tomorrow’s New Dream’ (2019)
May 20, 2020‘Tomorrow’s New Dream,’ the latest album from Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick and Incognito, is a shimmering, funky delight.
David Philips – ‘Demos and Ideas 2015-2007’ (2020)
April 5, 2020These tracks reveal the full artistry of master folk singer and guitarist David Philips, no matter how primitive the setting.
Bob Dylan’s Elvis Movie: ‘Hearts of Fire’ (1986)
May 15, 2020It’s uncertain what drew him to the project, but the little-seen ‘Hearts of Fire’ actually mirrors attitudes often associated with Bob Dylan.
Playing the Long Game With Journey, Jethro Tull + Paul Rodgers: Shadows in Stereo
April 22, 2019Albums by Paul Rodgers, Jethro Tull and Journey have become unjustly forgotten in the collective memory.
‘Daisy Jones and the Six,’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2019): Books
January 2, 2020Maybe Taylor Jenkins Reid’s ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’ isn’t about rock ‘n’ roll at all. Maybe it’s more about love, and who you love and how you choose to love them.
The Successful Failures, “This Girl” from ‘Pack Up Your Shadows’ (2020): One Track Mind
June 18, 2020Sounding like a long-lost Big Star gem, the Successful Failures’ “This Girl” has all the essential markings of a summer hit single.
My Small Contribution to the Yes Symphonic Tour
April 10, 2020Mike Tiano recalls when Yes guitarist Steve Howe incorporated one of his ideas into the set during the band’s 2001 symphonic tour.
Why Billy Corgan’s ‘TheFutureEmbrace’ Still Leaves Me Cold
June 19, 2020Billy Corgan released his solo debut 15 years ago this week, while simultaneously announcing that he was getting back together with the Smashing Pumpkins.
The Knack – ‘Round Trip’ (1981): Forgotten Series
May 28, 2020Ranking as perhaps the Knack’s greatest album, ‘Round Trip’ sadly failed to make the impact it so rightfully deserved.
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Spencer Davis Group – ‘Gluggo’ (1973): Forgotten Series
December 7, 2018 -
The Rascals – ‘The Island of Real’ (1972): Forgotten Series
November 8, 2018
Sky: An Appreciation
May 6, 2020Sky deftly bridged genres, including classical and rock, yet somehow their music has nearly disappeared from minds and playlists.
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Being My Own Hero: Neil Peart & My Connection to Rush
March 4, 2020 -
Lyle Mays (1953-2020): An Appreciation
February 11, 2020
Lyle Mays (1953-2020): An Appreciation
February 11, 2020Jazz piano great Lyle May passed away on February 10, 2020. Few have been able to project subtle emotions so powerfully.
Yes, “Life On a Film Set” from ‘Fly From Here’ (2011): YESterdays
June 16, 2020The original version of this Geoff Downes / Trevor Horn composition offers one of my favorite vocals from Yes’ departed third frontman Benoit David.
Walter Becker, “The Dopest Cut / Down In the Bottom” (1992): Steely Dan Sunday
May 24, 2020Walter Becker’s ’11 Tracks of Whack’ outtake “The Dopest Cut / Down In the Bottom” is another treat for Steely Dan fans that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Into the Great Wide Open: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “You’re Gonna Get It” (1978)
June 17, 2014Petty began to take control of his vocal gifts on the second Heartbreakers album.
Exploring Lesser-Known Moments From ‘Let It Be’: Deep Beatles
May 8, 2020‘Deep Beatles’ author Kit O’Toole digs into five key cuts from their last-released album ‘Let It Be,’ which arrived 50 years today.
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The Beatles, “What Goes On” from ‘Rubber Soul’ (1965): Deep Beatles
November 13, 2019 -
The Beatles, “Old Brown Shoe” from ‘Past Masters’ (1969): Deep Beatles
August 28, 2019
Bruce Springsteen – The River (1980): Gimme Five
October 18, 2015When Bruce Springsteen issued ‘The River’ in October of 1980, I didn’t like it very much. Time has changed that – and here’s why.
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Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run (1975): Deep Cuts
August 25, 2015 -
Bruce Springsteen’s complex and challenging The Rising: Gimme Five
July 31, 2015
Levon and the Hawks, “He Don’t Love You” (1965): Across the Great Divide
October 22, 2015The Band, then known as Levon and the Hawks, released a few forgotten songs before heading to that basement with Bob Dylan. Here’s one of the best.
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The Band – ‘Moondog Matinee’ (1973): Gimme Five
October 15, 2015 -
Robbie Robertson was again sparked by America, old friends on Storyville
September 30, 2015
Toto, “Dying On My Feet” from ‘Falling in Between’ (2006): Toto Tuesdays
June 9, 2020In stark contrast to the frenetic opening of 2006’s ‘Falling in Between,’ “Dying On My Feet” finds Toto in a more relaxed mood.
(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Offramp” (1981)
June 7, 2014Some think Metheny is joking around, that he couldn’t possibly like “all of this noise.”
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(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Eighteen” (1981)
May 31, 2014 -
(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Au Lait” (1981)
May 24, 2014
Chicago, “I Believe” from ‘Chicago 18’ (1986): Saturdays in the Park
June 13, 2020David Foster designed 1986’s ‘Chicago 18’ to be our introduction to Jason Scheff, but Bill Champlin continued his emergence as a force to be reckoned with.
