instrumental Archive
01 Jul 2025
30 Days Out, July 2025 #1: Glenn Miller Orchestra, Thelma & the Sleaze, Postmodern Jukebox
An act from the distant past, another that takes modern songs to that past, a lesbian Southern Rock band and one of the finest local-based artists WNC has to offer: […]
19 Jun 2025
Album Review: Charles Mingus – In Argentina: The Buenos Aires Concerts
A landmark musician and composer, Charles Mingus is among the most important artists in jazz, and in music overall. Yet those without deep knowledge of his work tend to place […]
13 Jun 2025
Hundred-word Reviews for June 2025: Jazz
More of my capsule reviews. Five great new jazz releases this time. Daggerboard & Erik Jekabson Orchestra – The Axes Volume II Daggerboard is one of the most fascinating jazz […]
07 May 2025
Cypress Hill Meets Reno Phil (Part 1 of 2)
When hip hop and orchestral music meet, sparks fly Founded in 1969 by Russian-born conductor Gregory Stone, the Reno Philharmonic – affectionately known as the “Reno Phil” – has become […]
01 May 2025
30 Days Out, May 2025 #1: Atomic Crumb, Future Islands, EXTC, Thee Sacred Souls
Wow. Lots of great live music coming to Asheville, and soon. Let’s dig in. Artist: Atomic Crumb Venue: Oskar Blues Date: Saturday, May 17, 1 p.m. Door: $free (but c’mon: […]
21 Apr 2025
Hundred-word Reviews for April 2025: Jazz
A quick look at five new(ish) jazz releases worthy of your attention. Pony Boy All-star Big Band – This is Now Big band jazz enjoyed its heyday many decades ago. […]
15 Apr 2025
30 Days Out, April 2025 #2: La Luz, Bonnie Raitt, Empire Strikes Brass, Badbadnotgood
Happy Tax Day! Go see some live music. If you please, here are a few really, really good suggestions. The Ramones sang “New York City really has it all,” but […]
07 Apr 2025
Album Review: Dennis Coffey – Finger Lickin Pickin Good
Dennis Coffey is one of music’s unsung guitar heroes. A key session player in the Detroit music scene, he played on countless recordings coming out of that city’s most fertile […]
01 Apr 2025
30 Days Out, April 2025 #2: Ripe, Mystery Lights, Consider the Source, Rhiannon Giddens
You can’t keep a great city down. Big things are happening in Asheville. It was just six months ago that we sustained devastating and deadly damage from Tropical Storm Helene; […]
01 Mar 2025
30 Days Out, March 2025 #1: Jimmy Vivino, Orions Belte, They Might Be Giants, Jackie Venson
Lively blues, trippy instro, sophisticated progressive pop, genre-spanning guitar fireworks… those are among the highlights of a very creatively fertile March 2025 in Asheville. Artist: Jimmy Vivino Venue: The Grey […]