Brian Robbins spoke with Bennett in late 2008 for a Glide feature that talked of Bennett's most recent creative endeavors. Robbins last heard from Bennett around May 6th, just after news of the lawsuit broke. He had been corresponding to Robbins about the hip procedure and was as Robbins states "in good spirits and sweet as ever."
Arkells' debut record, Jackson Square, a homage to their blue-collar hometown of Hamilton, Ontario has been garnering raves reviews with college radio and major press alike. Jackson Square is a wash of covertly optimistic lyrics and groovy, punch-drunk hooks.
Following a blockbuster Spring Tour that saw The Disco Biscuits in the midst of their best year of shows in a decade, the band looks forward to a summer of
It should come as no surprise that, in conversation as in his playing, John Medeski is quick to respond and makes his points emphatically though never heavy handedly. As one third of Medeski Martin & Wood, the keyboardist has played an integral role in exploratory work that has rendered jazz ultra-contemporary while never losing sight (or grasp) of the genre’s roots. Like his two musical partners, Medeski has made the time to contribute to any number of side-projects over the years as both musician and producer, collaborating with The Word, The Campbell Brothers and The Will Bernard Group.
The John Paul Jones-produced album, Watkins’ first as a solo artist, doesn’t lack in any area; instead, it soars with the star power that surrounds every note. Besides the aforementioned Jones, Watkins has help from Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, and Elvis Costello drummer Pete Thomas, to name just a few. After a couple listens, it will be evident that, although you might still wish for Nickel Creek to reform someday, you’ll also realize you have something sparkling and special in Sara Watkins all by herself.
One day two winters ago, 14 musicians decided to leave their hectic lives for a little while and go to ‘Gilligans Island’ – only this island was Maui, Hawaii and instead of sleeping on hammocks beneath the palm trees they slept 500 feet above sea level in a compound of treehouses. Together they lived a minimalistic existence …no electricity, no running water, hardly a road to drive on and barely a roof over their heads. Yet, it was 30 blissful days of swimming, surfing, singing on the beach…inspiring and experimenting and most importantly, recording some very amazing music. The end result is Operation Aloha, a collection of songs that captures the tranquility, freedom and spirit of Hawaii – and it will be self-released on May 12th, 2009. It may sound like a great reality TV show, but it’s far from reality… about 2,500 miles (Los Angeles) to be exact…
Yamagata's latest double disc set: Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart was produced largely by Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, The Faint), and also John Alagia (John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Happenstance), Elephants is darker and more vulnerable while the more guitar-driven Teeth Sinking Into Heart is grittier and more defiantly cynical. With a double disc on her mind, Rachael had a lot of other stuff to let loose with Glide…
Last week, Ticketmaster took some major heat for an unplanned and accidental presale for tickets for Phish’s four performances at Red Rocks this summer. Fans that thought they had stumbled onto a surprise jackpot had their orders canceled and received an email from David Butler, President of Ticketmaster North America, explaining why.
As John Scofield’s career has evolved, he has turned into almost as much of a musicologist as a musician. The transformation has occurred, however, without slighting the latter most and significant role: “Sco” remains one of contemporary jazz’s most distinctive guitar players.
With the recent boom of female singer-songwriters in the past few years, there is reason to believe that there is room for all the talent in the world, even if you’re not the second coming of Lucinda Williams—you don’t have to write the next Car Wheels on a Gravel Road to make a decent living. But, the truth is simple for McCarley: if her first offering, Love, Save the Empty, gives us any hint about what is to come, it’s that her musical pulse is not to be denied.
