essay Archive
06 Nov 2019
Adam Ant: What Do He Do?
MTV (younger readers note: that used to stand for Music Television) seemed custom made for an artist such as Adam Ant. The British music personality born Stuart Goddard had just […]
05 Nov 2019
The Mekons: Rock ‘n Roll
Influential critic and rock journalist Lester Bangs once described the Mekons as “the most revolutionary group in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.” Hyperbole aside, Bangs had a point. Formed […]
04 Nov 2019
Brian Auger: To Oblivion and Beyond
Among the most rock-oriented of soul jazz musicians (as well as perhaps the jazziest of all rockers) Brian Auger is a musician of legendary talent and taste. Even though his […]
31 Oct 2019
Sting: Breathtaking Performer
Thinking back upon the subject today, it doesn’t seem so surprising that Sting cut his musical teeth in a jazz fusion band. As bassist in Last Exit, the British musician […]
27 Oct 2019
Joan Baez: Consistently on the Right Side of History
Joan Baez is American folk royalty. Her name would be an important one within the folk idiom even if she had never sung a note; as an early and prominent […]
26 Oct 2019
Patti Smith: Archetype of the Uncompromising Poet/rocker
Over the course of her years in the creative world, Patti Smith has been called many things: muse, musician, rocker, activist, wife. But the one word that has always been […]
20 Oct 2019
Kamasi Washington: Can You Hear Him?
The career of saxophonist and composer Kamasi Washington bubbled under for a number of years before the Los Angeles-based artist broke through on a national and worldwide level. Hints of […]
13 Oct 2019
Diana Krall: Here to Stay
While she is popular the world over, contralto Diana Krall got off to a modest start. Her official debut release, 1993’s Stepping Out earned positive reviews, but it didn’t initially […]
30 Sep 2019
Eilen Jewell: Multigenre Master
Those who heard Idaho-born Eilen Jewell’s 2005 debut album Boundary Country, may have thought of her as merely the latest in a long line of Americana/country singer/songwriters. Clearly talented, she […]
05 Sep 2019
Pet Benatar Still Hits You With Her Best Shot
Arguably the queen of 1980s rock, Pat Benatar has achieved a singular mix of success both critically and commercially. With record sales of more than 30 million units to her […]