Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Hank Williams's so-called "Mother's Best" recordings offer essential music. Plus, fine releases from Mick Kolassa and Letitia VanSant.
Read More »Music Reviews: Hank Williams – ‘Pictures from Life’s Other Side’ Plus Mick Kolassa and Letitia VanSant
Jeff Burger
Music Reviews: Honeycombs – ‘Have I the Right: The Complete 60s Albums & Singles’, Plus Wild Rabbit Salad, Lil Smokies, Bobby Hatfield
A three-CD anthology showcases the Honeycombs, a British Invasion group. Plus, Wild Rabbit Salad, the Lil Smokies, and previously unheard work from the Righteous Brothers’ Bobby Hatfield.
Read More »Music Reviews: Pink Floyd – ‘The Later Years,’ Plus Seamus Egan, Big Mike & the R&B Kings
A massive box set explores Pink Floyd’s post-1985 work. Plus, CDs from Seamus Egan and Big Mike.
Read More »Music Reviews: Leonard Cohen, ‘Thanks for the Dance’ and Bruce Springsteen, ‘1990s Broadcast Collection’
Three years after Leonard Cohen’s death, a new album from him appears. Plus, live Springsteen material from the '90s.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Band: ‘The Band (Anniv. Ed.)’ Plus Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Kelly
The inevitable 50th anniversary edition of the Band’s classic second album offers reasons to upgrade. Plus, vintage live material from Simon & Garfunkel and an anthology from Australia’s Paul Kelly.
Read More »Music Reviews: Jimi Hendrix – ‘Songs for Groovy Children: The Fillmore East Concerts’ Plus Rebecca Turner, Modern English
Nearly half a century after Hendrix’s historic two-night stand at the Fillmore East, the performances have been released in full. Plus, Rebecca Turner and reissues from Modern English.
Read More »Music Review: Rod Stewart – The Studio Albums 1975-2001
A 14-CD collection of his 1975–2001 studio albums is uneven but contains more than enough standouts to justify its bargain price.
Read More »Music/Book Reviews: The Doors: ‘Soft Parade’ (50th Anniv. Ed.) Plus Jerry Leger, Swans, Specialty Records
A 50th anniversary edition of the Doors’ ‘The Soft Parade,’ plus albums from Jerry Leger and Swans and a book about Specialty Records.
Read More »Music/Film Reviews: Tim Buckley – ‘Live at the Electric Theatre Co.’ Plus Chuck Berry, Elliott Murphy, Gene Clark
An exceptional Tim Buckley concert surfaces and a Chuck Berry film comes to Blu-ray. Plus material from Elliott Murphy’s archives and a Gene Clark cult favorite.
Read More »Music Reviews: Bruce Springsteen – ‘Western Stars’ (Songs from the Film), Plus Rampart Records, the Revelers, New Riders of the Purple Sage
Bruce Springsteen releases live versions of the songs on his recent ‘Western Stars’ CD. Also: an anthology collects singles from the defunct Rampart Records label; Cajun music from the Revelers; and a 1972 concert from New Riders of the Purple Sage.
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