‘Side-Eye III’ Is Pat Metheny’s Elegant Balance Of The Past & Present Momentum (ALBUM REVIEW)
His first major studio album in six years, Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye III+, is the latest evolution of a concept he first introduced in 2021. The ongoing project is designed to focus on collaborations with younger musicians the contemporary jazz icon admires, allowing him to reimagine his past work and devote the collective talents to new […]
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Beat the Storm: Full-Band Fire & Hard Truths at Radio City Music Hall (SHOW REVIEW)
Before a blizzard shut down NYC, Jason Isbell pulled into town to play two sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall. Friday night was a solo acoustic affair, while Saturday, February 21st, found him delivering a louder set of tunes with his full backing band, the 400 Unit. The Saturday night show was opened by […]
Bill Frisell Celebrates 75th Birthday With His Go-To Musicians on Vibrant ‘In My Dreams’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Bill Frisell is the unassuming guy in a flannel shirt, wearing Sketchers. He has this ‘everyman’ aura that one would not typically associate with one of the most inventive, fascinating guitarists of the past five decades, one who is likely to become an NEA Jazz Master at some point. He conducts himself with grace and […]
Mumford & Sons Lean Into High-profile Collaborations with Chris Stapleton, Hozier, Gracie Abrams and More on ‘Prizefighter’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Just over six months since their last LP was released — and coming off a seven-year musical drought — Mumford & Sons have turned in Prizefighter, yet another full-length record. Like last year’s Rushmere, their latest is a nice blend of their earlier folk revival sound and their more recent, indie rock/pop-focused approach. Along with […]
The Band Of Heathens Stick with Tried and True Cosmic Americana Sound on ‘Country Sides’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Twenty years after they started, The Band of Heathens clearly realize there is little upside to fucking with what works. They have stripped down their sound to the acoustic basics at times and brought in Hayes Carll in 2024 for a fantastic duo record, Hayes & The Heathens, but for the most part they have […]
blink-182’s Pivotal Pop-punk LP ‘Enema of the State’ Gets High-quality Audio Vinyl Reissue As Part Of Definitive Sound Series (ALBUM REVIEW)
Getting signed to a major label with two albums full of “dick and fart” jokes doesn’t seem like something achievable for most, but that is exactly what blink-182 did. Originally signed to Grilled Cheese, a subdivision of Cargo Records, Blink released Cheshire Cat and Dude Ranch. While the former mostly gained attention in the 90s […]
Grateful Dead: Dave’s Picks Volume 57 – Uptown Theatre, Chicago IL 2/1/78 (ALBUM REVIEW)
Dave’s Picks Volume 57 is one of the most compelling releases in this ongoing archival series devoted to the Grateful Dead. But just as Chelsea Housand’s eye-catching cover art demands close perusal to appreciate its intricacy, so too does it require careful listening to comprehend the overall beauty of the music on these three CDs. […]
Duke Robillard Showcases His Versatility on NOLA Blue Debut ‘Blast Off’
The underrecognized guitarist and musicologist Duke Robillard is arguably the most important roots and blues musician to come from Rhode Island. Heck, let’s extend that to one of the most important in roots music at large. Now 77, Robillard has found a new home with the nation’s fastest-growing blues label, NOLA Blue, with his offering […]
Portland Folk Artist Jeffrey Martin Delivers His First-Ever Live Album: The Intimate and Insightful ‘Alive, July 25, 2025’
Portland folk singer Jeffrey Martin releases one full show, Alive, on July 25, 2025, recorded at Portland’s The Showdown, with 16 tracks, unedited, overdub-free, and unsequenced. Sam Weber (Madison Cunningham, Anna Tivel, Bahamas) joins Martin on acoustic and electric guitars. Weber also recorded and mixed the record. Only five of these songs appeared on his […]
The Wild Magnolias Featuring The New Orleans Project Uncover Undeniably Stellar Cuts On ‘Outtakes + Live 1973-1974’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Just in time for Mardi Gras, the newest release from the Tipitina’s Record Club is The Wild Magnolias Featuring The New Orleans Project Outtakes + Live 1973-1974. The Orange vinyl and (purple 45 single for club members) conveys the bright music contained within. The Wild Magnolias monumental first two albums, their self-titled release in 1974 […]