Author Archive
03 Oct 2011
Book Review: The Stooges – Head On
There are a few characteristics that – when present – enhance the quality and readability of a book. When the subject is a band, figure or personality in the rock […]
30 Sep 2011
A Conversation with The Grip Weeds’ Kurt Reil
Though they prefer to think of themselves as creators of a classic-style rock’n’roll, to most ears, The Grip Weeds are carriers of a powerpop tradition. And while that alone should […]
29 Sep 2011
CD Review: The Modulators – Tomorrow’s Coming
There’s a particular sonic quality peculiar to the first half of the 1980s. If you were a local or regional band on a limited budget, and you went into a […]
28 Sep 2011
CD Review: CIRCA: – And So On
I’ve long been a fan of Pete Frame’s rock family trees. Frame has a way of untangling the knotty threads of who-played-with-whom and presenting the information in a distinctive visual […]
27 Sep 2011
CD Review: Frank Sinatra & Count Basie – The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings
Hell, I don’t know how many Frank Sinatra albums there have been. Not counting compilations — and there have been scores of those – Sinatra’s voice graced something like sixty […]
26 Sep 2011
CD Review: Trummor & Orgel – Out of Bounds
The Hammond organ occupies an important place in music. Beyond its use in gospel music, the instrument has long been established as the centerpiece in soul, blues, jam band and […]
22 Sep 2011
Concert Review: Los Lonely Boys
I’m told that Los Lonely Boys had a Top 40 hit in 2004 with a song called “Heaven.” I listen to a lot of music, but Top 40 radio hasn’t […]
21 Sep 2011
CD Review: Vegas With Randolph – Above the Blue
Comparisons to Fountains of Wayne are inevitable: strong melodies, well-thought-out vocal harmonies, middling tempos, clever lyrics, high-octane guitars. That’s the recipe on Above the Blue from Washington DC-based Vegas With […]
20 Sep 2011
CD Review: Rufus Thomas – Do the Funky Chicken
It’s easy to dismiss the work of Rufus Thomas (the world’s oldest teenager™) as the work of a novelty artist. Too easy, in fact. And it does a disservice to […]
19 Sep 2011
CD Review: The Dramatics – Whatcha See is Whatcha Get
Though Stax/Volt was (and will remain) closely linked with its hometown of Memphis, not everything that came out on the legendary label was Memphis-based. Some of it wasn’t even recorded […]