Two Little Richard reissues show off his flamboyant personality without measuring up to his '50s heyday, plus excellent new releases from Jim Kweskin and Samoa Wilson and from Dirk Powell.
Read More »Jeff Burger
Music Reviews: 1950s Pop/Rockers, Plus New Albums from Savoy Brown and Dan Penn
A 1950s reissue series features the Crests, Duprees, Rivieras, and Adam Wade. Plus, the soulful Adam Wade and blues-rock from Savoy Brown.
Read More »My Private Messages from the Trumps
The president and his family have been emailing me almost every day. They sound as if they know me, though they keep calling me by the wrong name.
Read More »Music Reviews: Willie Nile Tribute, Greg Copeland, Juni Ata, Colter Wall
A multi-artist tribute to rocker Willie Nile, plus the rarely heard Greg Copeland, the auspicious Juni Ata, and western music from Colter Wall.
Read More »Music Reviews: Pretenders’ ‘Hate for Sale,’ Plus Sylvie Simmons, the Five Keys, and Nocona
The Pretenders are back with a strong 10-song set, plus Sylvie Simmons, early doo-wop, and a band called Nocona.
Read More »Music Reviews: Bryan Ferry Live, Plus John Fusco, Phil Ochs, and Rick Berthod
Roxy Music singer Bryan Ferry tackles early rock hits on a newly available 1974 concert. Plus, blues-rock from John Fusco and Rick Berthod and rare tracks from the late Phil Ochs.
Read More »Music Reviews: Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks’s ‘Orange Crate Art,’ Plus Jenny Reynolds, Jason Daniels Band, Easy Love
An expanded edition of Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks's "Orange Crate Art," plus three noteworthy new releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Explorers Club, Plus Julian Taylor, Al Hendrix, Mark Fredson
Expert production, addictive hooks, and amiable musicianship and vocalizing characterize both new albums from The Explorers Club, but I particularly like the covers collection.
Read More »Music Review: ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ Delivers Classic Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan's 39th studio album—his first collection of new material since 2012's 'Tempest'—finds him going strong at age 79.
Read More »Music Reviews: Jeb Loy Nichols’s Masterful ‘Season of Decline,’ Plus VickiKristinaBarcelona and Kristen Grainger
Jeb Loy Nichols, a relatively obscure folk singer, delivers a gem. Plus, an album of Tom Waits covers and folk/bluegrass from Kristen Grainger & True North.
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