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Erik Deutsch – Outlaw Jazz (ALBUM REVIEW)

Erik Deutsch – Outlaw Jazz (ALBUM REVIEW)

At one time, extended instrumental beauty, as is executed on Erik Deutsch’s Outlaw Jazz, dominated the airwaves. In our universe however, where a concise melody and less thoughtfulness in song structure constitutes a more attractive commodity, there may be a few fewer outlets for such a well-hewn and uniquely developed  ...[more]

Grateful Dead – Dave’s Picks Vol. 13: Winterland, San Francisco, CA 2/2/74 (ALBUM REVIEW)

Grateful Dead – Dave’s Picks Vol. 13: Winterland, ...

Is it really any coincidence (some of) the best live playing in the Grateful Dead’s career took place during 1974? This period represented a culmination of the burst of creativity that produced two fine studio recordings (Wake of the Flood and From the Mars Hotel), both released on their own  ...[more]

Brandi Carlile – The Firewatcher’s Daughter (ALBUM REVIEW)

Brandi Carlile – The Firewatcher’s Daughter (ALBUM REVIEW)

A lot has changed for Brandi Carlile since she released her last album, Bear Creek, in 2012. Professionally, she left her major label deal with Sony for a new home on Dave Matthews’ ATO Records. Personally, she’s married and has a child. Perhaps the biggest change, though, can be found  ...[more]

Branford Marsalis Hooks Up With Gov’t Mule & John Scofield in Durham, NC (SHOW REVIEW)

Branford Marsalis Hooks Up With Gov’t Mule & ...

Durham, NC boasts a rich jazz and blues heritage, and on a dreary winter evening in March 2015, the Durham Performing Arts Center was the site of another entry into the city’s considerable musical ledger. Gov’t Mule came to town with John Scofield in tow, and that alone is a  ...[more]

The Funky Meters and Rebirth Brass Band Hit Austin’s Moody Theater (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)

The Funky Meters and Rebirth Brass Band Hit ...

When you create timeless music and happen to be responsible for laying the foundation of the almighty force known as funk, it doesn’t really matter if you have the original lineup together. The bottom line is, for anyone even slightly familiar with the Meters, any chance to catch even one  ...[more]

DRKWAV – Regattabar, Cambridge, MA 2/27/15 (SHOW REVIEW)

DRKWAV – Regattabar, Cambridge, MA 2/27/15 (SHOW REVIEW)

Futuristic impressionists DRKWAV channeled the performance space of the Cambridge Regattabar into a canvas of deep, intricately textured jazz fusion. Two lengthy sets provided the trio of John Medeski, Adam Deitch, and Skerik to ability to explore some of the more menacing aspects of psychedelic jazz, all the while keeping  ...[more]

Jeff Beck: Live In Tokyo (DVD REVIEW)

Jeff Beck: Live In Tokyo (DVD REVIEW)

There is a moment in the recently released DVD, Jeff Beck: Live In Tokyo, when it really hits home that Beck is indeed a genius. It’s not when he’s driving through a rocker like “Big Block” or rockabilly jazzing in “Rollin’ & Tumblin’” or even when he’s giving homage to  ...[more]

Looking For Johnny: The Legend Of Johnny Thunders (DVD REVIEW)

Looking For Johnny: The Legend Of Johnny Thunders ...

1952, Queens, New York. Young Johnny Genzale is born and raised by his mother and older sister after his father decided to keep on with his wanton ways. Johnny is a cool kid, playing baseball, hanging out with friends. And then he discovers rock & roll and his new aura  ...[more]

Rolling Stones From The Vault – ‘Live in 1975, LA Forum’ & ‘Live in 1981, Hampton Coliseum’ (DVD REVIEWS)

Rolling Stones From The Vault – ‘Live in ...

It’s December 05, 1981, and the Rolling Stones are playing at the Superdome in New Orleans. But I am sitting at home, in my teenaged bedroom, pouting. The ticket I once held in my hand now belonged to someone else and I was missing one of the greatest bands on  ...[more]

‘Clothes Clothes Clothes, Music Music Music, Boys Boys Boys’ by Viv Albertine (BOOK REVIEW)

‘Clothes Clothes Clothes, Music Music Music, Boys Boys ...

Punk rock has been getting a lot of love recently. Johnny Rotten and Kim Gordon both have books coming out in 2015; Marky Ramone just released his autobiography; a DVD about Johnny Thunders hit shelves a few months ago and some old Clash footage has popped up on social media.  ...[more]

Sound Man: A Life Recording Hits With The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Faces By Glyn Johns (Book REVIEW)

Sound Man: A Life Recording Hits With The ...

Did you know that Jeff Beck used to crawl through Ian Stewart’s back window to spend time with a girl who was staying at his house while he was away? Or that Jimmy Page, in his early teens, once played at a talent night held at Glyn Johns’ church? Or  ...[more]

I’m The Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax By Scott Ian (Book Review)

I’m The Man: The Story Of That Guy ...

“Maybe we stayed around so long we outlasted all the bullshit,” Scott Ian philosophizes near the end of his new autobiography, I’m The Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax. “We outlasted everything, and now we were considered a legendary band – members of the Big 4.” No one  ...[more]

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  • Frank Zappa’s Last Show (1991)

    This week we look at some of the last ever shows by selected bands. Before losing his battle to prostate cancer in late 1993, Frank Zappa played an improvisational set ...