compilation Archive

Album Review: The Satyrs – Don’t Be Surprised

UPDATE: Welcome, visitors from that site that provides a free (illegal) download to the album. If you like the music, please consider supporting the artists and buying it rather than […]

Album Review: Little River Band — Ultimate Hits

Call it soft rock if you like. Label it as yacht rock if you must. Formed in Melbourne waaay back in the mid 1970s, the band enjoyed worldwide success, placing […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]