On a casual stroll through a bookstore my eye caught Robert’s Rules of Writing. Because of it’s play on Robert’s Rules of Order. I took the book from the shelf and flipped it over, mostly interested to see what angle this author took on the over-published topic of how to …

Have you ever wondered what songs are at the top of your favorite artist’s top ten lists? In The Day After Yesterday, released July 12, Rick Springfield answers this question by recording thirteen songs “he wishes he had written.” Also included is “Cry,” a song he penned at the same …

Living in the Gleam of an Unsheathed Sword was my first introduction to Earth, the band comprised of guitarist, Dylan Carlson and percussionist, A. Davies. The music is very heavy and quite dark at times. I suppose this might be considered characteristic of heavy metal, but it quickly became evident …

As someone who rejoiced when the Hell Freezes Over tour was announced, I was just as happy to hear the Farewell I Tour, was not a farewell at all, but as mentioned very early in the concert, to be quickly followed by the Farewell II tour. I am a long …

Take Me To The Land of Jazz, released on Delmark Records, is quite the collection of classic Jazz numbers, preformed by an accomplished group of percussions and horns. The first ten songs feature Billy Butterfield on trumpet as well as Andy Bartha on coronet. They were recorded live in the …

Tracy Bonham’s Blink The Brightest (Zoe Records) is a collection of powerful lyrics and catchy accompaniments. With her powerful voice and wide range, she delivers heartfelt songs that are true to the human heart. On the first single and opening track, “Something Beautiful”, she demonstrates just how wide that range …

Live At The River East Arts Center (Delmark) is a definitive example of the roots of classic improvisational Jazz. Recorded at the River East Art Theater in Chicago, it features guest violinist Billy Bang. This is probably the main reason I found this recording incompatible with my taste in music. …

Wild Card, which debuted number one on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart last month, delivers a warm and soulful mix of Latin and Contemporary Jazz. I saw a preview of this Latin feel from Russ Freeman in the Rippingtons’ recording of “Life in the Tropics” in 2000. On Wild Card, he …

The long awaited self titled The Vanity Project will be hitting stores June 21 via Flagship Recordings and Fontana. This release teams Barenaked Ladies’ lead singer Steven Page with songwriter, Stephen Duffy. The two have worked together previously on the songs “Jane,” “Alternate Girlfriend,” and “Call and Answer,” and co-wrote …

Amber’s newest single, “Voodoo” from her current album, My Kind of World (On JMCA Enterprises, LCC), is destined to be her eleventh consecutive top ten dance hit. “Voodoo,” released in six unique dance club mixes, combines strong meaningful lyrics with a driving rhythmic beat that is sure to please the …