It is a measure of our times that the deplorables evoke an earnest, political singer/songwriter singing truth to power by simply recounting the sadness of these same times, and doing so like a female Woody Guthrie. essential … Continue reading
Angel was last year’s Courtney Barnett. Except at this point, she’s a musical chameleon mining all sorts of styles birthed before she was, or, working out loud what a grunge chanteuse might sound like. My Woman is a strong record, … Continue reading
At this point, Jeff Tweedy and Wilco own the stage. … Continue reading
last year kicked off with a spectacular record by Ms. Rodriguez. A second record with Chip Taylor Red Dog tracks gets back to the duo’s dependable, grown-up folk rock. … Continue reading
Re-release of Bon Iver in Japan added a bonus disc of live performances from last year. Stellar. This set on the day before the last of day of the year is just as good. His 2016 release 22, a million … Continue reading
recap of 2016 faves – Not Steely Dan, but enough in that vein to say, “almost like Steely Dan is back!” … Continue reading
recap 0f 2016 faves … Continue reading
2016 recap of faves – A3 … Continue reading
2016 Recap of Faves … Continue reading
Best of 2016 – in no particular order A3 … Continue reading
Over the past week I’ve unveiled some of the music that brought me satisfaction and, often, extraordinary moments of sonic alignment–which is how great music strikes me, and, has struck me for forty-five years. Nowadays it is clear that musical … Continue reading
Wussy is the greatest rock band in the world today. Hear for yourself. Go for it. Their 2014 album has been given due by experts. They sound like a merger of The Band’s earthiness and The Replacements’ garage power. Great songs … Continue reading
Improvisation – call it jazz, if you must Sam Newsome – The Straight Horn of Africa A Path to Liberation (Art of the Soprano, V2) Tisziji Munoz – Taking You Out There! Live Chicago/Sao Paulo Underground Feat. Pharoah Sanders – … Continue reading
POST-ROCK Swans – To Be Kind When one of my most favored bands follows up their finest hour with two even more finer hours, there isn’t much I can say. Both The Seer and this year’s To Be Kind are … Continue reading
AFRICA Noura Mint Seymali – Tzenni Produced and recorded across an appropriately dizzying array of locations and social contexts (New York City, Dakar, Nouakchott) the album Tzenni is a contemporary articulation of Moorish griot music from Mauritania—an artform that has … Continue reading