Author Archive
31 Oct 2024
Take Five: Elvis Costello Collaborations
Elvis Costello turned 70 in August. The prolific and gifted singer, songwriter and guitarist first came to the public’s notice during the punk/new wave area, but his artistry has always […]
30 Oct 2024
Take Five: Classics Written by Jim Capaldi
Jim Capaldi is perhaps best known as the drummer in Traffic. That group pioneered progressive rock while exploring other styles as well. Capaldi and Steve Winwood were the only members […]
29 Oct 2024
Take Five: Classics from Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott was one of rock’s great front men. The Black bassist from Dublin, Ireland was also one of rock’s finest lyricists, penning songs that were cinematic in their vivid […]
28 Oct 2024
Steve Wynn Does Everything at Once
This feature first appeared in SPIN. Influential indie rocker debuts a fascinating memoir and a new album Steve Wynn is an alt-rock hero. He launched The Dream Syndicate in 1981, […]
27 Oct 2024
Album Review: Return of Halloween Nuggets
Way back in 2014, Rock Beat Records put together a three-CD set called Halloween Nuggets: Monster Sixties a Go-go. Of a piece with some other fine compilations from the same […]
26 Oct 2024
Album Review: Santiago y Los Gatos — Washing Away Wetiko
Jeff Santiago is a beloved figure in the Asheville and WNC musical community. He’s also a well-known and in-demand musician (I was fortunate to play in a group alongside him […]
25 Oct 2024
New Math Walks Among Us Again (Part 2 of 2)
Continued from Part One… Never one to shy away from calling out characters who make things difficult, Howie has only good things to say about New Math. “Sometimes,” he says, […]
24 Oct 2024
New Math Walks Among Us Again (Part 1 of 2)
A newly reissued and expanded set from goth rockers New Math is a reminder that in the early ‘80s, there was more good music being made than could possibly get […]
23 Oct 2024
Album Review: The Supremes – I Hear a Symphony
Cogs in the Motown musical machine, the Supremes churned out albums with alacrity. 1966’s I Hear a Symphony was the group’s eighth album. It was also the first of two […]
22 Oct 2024
Album Review: The Temptations – Cloud Nine
By 1969, Motown hitmakers the Temptations were well into their peak, but the group also faced a potential setback. Singer David Ruffin had been dismissed from the group months earlier; […]