Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Reviews of reissues from Jonathan Richman, plus Dolly Parton, Smithereens, Peggy Lee, and Fredrik Lundin & Odense Jazz Orchestra.
Read More »Music Reviews: Jonathan Richman Reissues, plus Dolly Parton, the Smithereens, Peggy Lee, and Fredrik Lundin
Jazz
Music Reviews: Joni Mitchell’s ‘The Asylum Albums,’ plus Mel Carter, Dr. John, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and Mountain City Four
A Joni Mitchell box set contains three early 1970s studio albums and a live set. Plus, reviews of CDs featuring Mel Carter, Dr. John, New Riders, and the Mountain City Four.
Read More »Music Reviews: Duduka Da Fonseca & Quarteto Universal – ‘Yes!!!’ and Russ Hewitt – ‘Chasing Horizons’
Excellent new albums from veteran jazz drummer Duduka Da Fonseca and guitar wizard Russ Hewitt take radically divergent approaches to Latin music traditions.
Read More »Music Reviews: Rolling Stones’ ‘Licked Live in NYC,’ plus ‘Americana Railroad,’ Beach Boys’ ‘Sounds of Summer,’ ‘United Dreadlocks,’ and Paul Winter’s ‘Concert in the Barn’
The Stones issue a 2003 concert. Also, train-themed and reggae anthologies, Beach Boys hits, and a jazz concert at dawn.
Read More »Music Reviews: ABBA’s ‘CD Album Box Set,’ plus Brad Absher, David Newbould, Michael Martin Murphey, and Rod Picott
A 10-CD box delivers all the Swedish pop group's hit-packed albums, including 2021's 'Voyage,' plus a disc of non-LP tracks.
Read More »Music Reviews: Mary Gauthier, John Coltrane, Charlie Musselwhite, Edie Carey, Michael McDermott, and Laney Jones
Mary Gauthier arrives at a hopeful place, plus an anniversary edition of a classic John Coltrane CD and more new releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: Willy DeVille’s ‘Venus of the Docks: Live in Bremen 2008,’ plus Erika Lewis, Michelle Malone, and Stew Cutler
A live set from Willy DeVille embraces punk, doo-wop, Cajun, and Latin music.
Read More »Music Reviews: Rain Perry’s ‘A White Album,’ Bobby Cole’s ‘A Point of View,’ Giulia Millanta’s ‘Woman on the Moon,’ and Ronnie Earl’s ‘Mercy Me’
A musical response to racism, an overlooked jazz singer, a blues guitar set, and an emotional folk-rock journey.
Read More »Exclusive Interview: Trumpeter Paul Merkelo on UNICEF Ukraine Benefit Concert, ‘Gershwin’s World’ Documentary, Russian Trumpet Concertos and More
The trumpeter gathers colleagues from the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal to benefit UNICEF's efforts to aid Ukrainian children.
Read More »Concert Review: American Symphony Orchestra and Marcus Roberts Trio Play the Music of Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington's concert music gets its due as the ASO and the Marcus Roberts Trio celebrate his fusion of jazz and classical at Carnegie Hall.
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