compilation Archive
20 Feb 2023
Hundred-word Reviews, February 2023 Part 1
It’s been ages since I did one of these, and since my backlog has got out of hand, it’s time. As ever, each of these merits deeper discussion, investigation, discussion […]
08 Feb 2023
Album Review: Various Artists – Howlin’ Wolf & His Wolf Gang
Truth in labeling is a valued quality. With that in mind, it’s worth pointing out right up front that – although it’s clearly labeled as such – this is not, […]
29 Dec 2022
It Came from Asheville! WNC Garage Rock in the ’60s, Part Three: Orange Purple Marmalade
Orange, purple, pink and green In Western North Carolina, Orange Purple Marmalade was an especially groundbreaking band. The group featured Theresa Crouch (today, Theresa Justus) on drums and vocals, Terry […]
28 Dec 2022
It Came from Asheville! WNC Garage Rock in the ’60s, Part Three: The Ron-De-Voos
Trip of the imagination Music historians trace the origins of psychedelic folk (or “freak folk”) back to 1964, when The Holy Modal Rounders gigged around New York City’s Lower East […]
27 Dec 2022
It Came from Asheville! WNC Garage Rock in the ’60s, Part Two: The (Fabulous) Wunz
The Wunz and onlys As the first wave of teenage rock combos spread across the mid-’60s U.S., the craze wasn’t limited to major metropolitan areas. Even Asheville – then with […]
26 Dec 2022
It Came from Asheville! WNC Garage Rock in the ’60s, Part One: Introduction
The garage rock movement of the mid 1960s yielded a bumper crop of rock and roll bands. Inspired by British Invasion groups like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Kinks, […]
30 Oct 2022
Album Review: Various Artists — We All Shine On
When thinking back on a particular year in music, there’s often a temptation to focus on a specific subgenre. And most compilations surveying a period tend to organize their selections […]
10 Oct 2022
Album Review: Flash – In the USA: Live Recordings 1972-73
Apparently with the cooperation/blessing of the Peter Banks estate, labels have been releasing archival material associated with the late former Yes guitarist. In addition to a number of collections focusing […]
07 Oct 2022
Album Review: Linda Gail Lewis – Early Sides 1963-1973
Rock and roll history is scattered with sibling also-rans. Some are quite good: Mike McGear (Paul McCartney’s brother) made an excellent album with Roger McGough and another very good one […]
20 Sep 2022
Album Review: Junior Wells – Blues Legend
On first hearing of this release, my initial reaction was to shudder. While Cleopatra Records and its associated imprints have been responsible for many fine releases, there have been some […]