20 Years Ago Today – The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be Naked’ Was Released
Bob Dylan Unleashes All The “Hits” On ‘The Complete Budokan 1978’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
The ultra-deluxe package design of The Complete Budokan 1978 mirrors the unusually polished and professional nature of its musical contents. Originally released as a double-LP set of vinyl containing selections from the two concerts here presented in their entirety, that set (and this one) might well have been titled ‘Greatest Hits Live.’ But doing so would’ve given […]
The Polyphonic Spree’s Robust Positive Pop Returns On ‘Salvage Enterprise’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
The Polyphonic Spree return for their first album of original material in almost a decade as Salvage Enterprise contains the bombastically positive pop the band was known for, but also adds some quieter acoustic outings to the mix. Formed in 2000 by the group’s creative focal point, Tim DeLaughter, as a way to carry on […]
Bill Evans Trio’s Live Masterpiece ‘Sunday At The Village Vanguard’ Receives All-Analog Mastering on Vinyl (ALBUM REVIEW)
Sunday at the Village Vanguard is a seminal jazz album by the legendary pianist Bill Evans, recorded live at the Village Vanguard in New York City on June 25, 1961. This album is a true masterpiece and a classic in the world of jazz, often regarded as one of the finest live recordings in the […]
Juliana Hatfield Continues Tribute Series with Vibrant ‘Sings ELO’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
It admittedly started as a novelty, or so it seemed. In 2018, Juliana Hatfield – one of the coolest understated musicians to come out of alternative rock (when that term still meant something) put out Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John. Gen X has a storied tradition of covering ironic music (we made cover albums of […]
Luther Dickinson Exands Musicologist Role On Childhood Spun ‘Magic Music for Family Folk’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Luther Dickinson effectively became a bonafide musicologist with the 2015 release of Blues & Ballads A Folksinger’s Songbook Volumes I & I. Ever since, whether working within the relative confines of the North Mississippi Allstars, on solo projects such as the aforementioned title or collaborations live and in the studio with the unique likes of Sisters […]
30 Years Ago Today – Blue Note Meets Hip Hop As Us3 Releases Debut Album ‘Hand On The Torch’
SONG PREMIERE: mega cat (members of Smokey Brights) Make Grand Entrance with Slinky Afrobeat-influenced Groover “Rat Fight”
mega cat is a new instrumental collaboration by Aaron Benson (drums, percussion, guitar,) Kim West (piano and synthesizer,) and Ryan Devlin (bass and guitar). For live performances, the band is joined by Dave Dederer (Presidents of the United States of America) on guitar. Ryan and Kim both play in the Seattle band Smokey Brights. mega […]
SONG PREMIERE: Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout Make a Big Soul Introduction with Eponymous Tune “The Knockdown Dragout”
If the photographic evidence accompanying The Knockdown Dragout (Gastonwood Music, February 9th, 2024) is any indication, then Chris J Norwood is a beaten man. Beaten, maybe… But not out! As Norwood sings on “The Knockdown Dragout” — the ensemble, album, and first single all share the same name — he is a fighter: I know […]
Divine Horsemen’s Julie Christensen On Doubling Down For ‘Bitter End of a Sweet Night’ (INTERVIEW)
Divine Horsemen have recently released Bitter End of a Sweet Night via In The Red Records, a follow-up to 2021’s Hot Rise of an Ice Cream Phoenix that marked their return to releasing music after 33 years. In many ways, it was like no time had passed at all, with new Divine Horsemen songs proving […]