essay Archive
02 Apr 2024
Preview: Linda Ronstadt – The Sound of My Voice
A GRAMMY-winning documentary exploring the life and career of the acclaimed singer, Linda Ronstadt – The Sound of My Voice is a critically acclaimed portrait of the beloved performer and […]
24 Mar 2024
Take Five: A Susanna Hoffs Deep Dive
Eternally youthful singer, songwriter and guitarist Susanna Hoffs celebrated her 65th birthday on January 17. Hoffs came to fame in the early ‘80s with The Bangles; her great voice and […]
21 Mar 2024
No Compromise: The Sound of Shakin’ Street
The following is a liner note essay I wrote for Scarlet, a brand-new archival release from Liberation Hall Records. It’s a document of the band’s August 1979 set at San […]
16 Mar 2024
Take Five: Early Graham Nash Songs
Though he’s best known today as a revered solo artist (and former member of both Crosby Stills and Nash and Crosby Stills Nash and Young), Graham Nash found great success […]
10 Mar 2024
Take Five: The Early Rides of Paul Revere
In part because the group’s leader was named after a hero of the Revolutionary War – and because the band’s choice of dress doubled down on that image – Paul […]
27 Feb 2024
Take Five: Early Gems from Billy Idol
Along with his friend Siouxsie Sioux, William Broad was part of the so-called Bromley Contingent, a group of punks who were central to the music and fashion movement in late […]
14 Feb 2024
Take Five: Songs on the Road to ELO
Electric Light Orchestra’s third studio album, On the Third Day was released in the U.S. just over a half century ago: on December 14, 1973. Featuring two minor U.S. hit […]
13 Feb 2024
Take Five: Lead Guitarists from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
Celebrating his 90th birthday this past November 29, John Mayall is the grand old man of British Blues. While Cyril Davies, Alexis Korner and select others deserve credit for launching […]
11 Feb 2024
Take Five: Classic Covers by The Ramones
The Ramones burst onto the music scene like a breath of (if not fresh than) New York City air. The foursome played a high-speed, stripped down punk version of rock […]
10 Feb 2024
Take Five: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
It was 30 years ago last November that Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their Greatest Hits album. Drawing both from band releases and Petty’s solo albums, the collection was […]