essay Archive
12 Sep 2025
Take Five: Early R.E.M. Songs You Should Know
R.E.M. was one of the most important musical acts of their era. Groundbreaking in establishing alternative rock (or college rock, or post-punk, or whatever critics might label it), the Athens, […]
11 Sep 2025
Take Five: Great Guest Spots featuring Rod Argent
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Rod Argent is one of the most versatile and creative musicians in rock. As a founding member of The Zombies, he was responsible for […]
03 Sep 2025
Take Five: Yardbirds Greats You Might Have Missed
The Yardbirds came together in 1963. The band’s original run – not counting reunions and that time they changed their name to New Yardbirds and then to Led Zeppelin – […]
02 Sep 2025
Take Five: Non-Blondie Tunes Featuring Deborah Harry
As justly acclaimed and admired as she is, vocalist Deborah Harry is far more musically eclectic than casual listeners might recognize. As lead singer and co-leader of Blondie, Harry was […]
25 Aug 2025
Take Five: Early Moody Blues Classics
The Moody Blues are best known as the group that made the groundbreaking Days of Future Passed, followed by a remarkable string of popular albums (known among the band and […]
19 Aug 2025
Five Early Spotlight Tracks featuring Steve Vai
Guitar virtuoso and three-time Grammy Award winner Steve Vai released his major-label debut, the critically acclaimed and Gold record awarded Passion and Warfare in 1990. One of music’s most highly […]
12 Aug 2025
Music Blurbs Vol. 13
Herb Alpert It’s only a slight overstatement to call trumpeter Herb Alpert the king of 1960s easy listening music. Alpert, of course, led the staggeringly successful Tijuana Brass; if you’ve […]
05 Aug 2025
Five Must-hear Tracks Featuring Michael Steele
Michael Steele is best known as bassist with The Bangles during the group’s hit-making era. Born Susan Thomas, Steele joined the group in 1983, replacing founding member Annette Zilinskas, who […]
23 Jul 2025
Five Regina Spektor Tunes You Should Know
An acclaimed singer, songwriter and pianist, Regina Spektor got her start in New York City’s indie scene as part of the East Village’s so-called “anti-folk” movement. Spektor self-released her debut […]
22 Jul 2025
Five Classics from Dire Straits
Along with U2 and The Police, Dire Straits was among the most successful bands from the British Isles in the 1980s. Their fifth studio album, 1985’s Brothers in Arms sold […]