Sunday , July 26 2026

Jeff Burger

Jeff Burger’s website, byjeffburger.com, contains half a century's worth of music reviews and commentary. His books include Dylan on Dylan: Interviews and Encounters, Lennon on Lennon: Conversations with John Lennon, Leonard Cohen on Leonard Cohen: Interviews and Encounters, and Springsteen on Springsteen: Interviews, Speeches, and Encounters.

Music Reviews: Early Rock Ballads, plus NRBQ, the New York Second, and Eric Brace & Thomm Jutz

Rock-a-Ballads

If you’re not familiar with the music of the late 1950s and early 1960s, you’ll probably have a hard time guessing which of these tunes rocketed up the charts and which never dented the Hot 100.

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Music Reviews: ‘Steppin’ Out’ Collects Early Garage Rock, plus Tom Paxton & John McCutcheon

Steppin Out

A new 94-track anthology is as likable as it is varied. It features many of the best and best-known acts associated with early garage rock.

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Music Reviews: ‘The Complete Trip’ Collects Psychedelia from England’s Orange Bicycle, plus David Huckfelt

Orange Bicycle The Complete Trip album cover detail

To say that psych-pop group Orange Bicycle never established a trademark style would be an understatement.

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Music Reviews: Fabulous Thunderbirds, plus Lester Young and Anthologies of Rockabilly and Appalachian Music

Not everything on these Fabulous Thunderbirds albums is fabulous, but Vaughan and Kim Wilson can be formidable singers and players, and, particularly on the early LPs, they and their bandmates delivered more than a few high-octane winners.

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Music Reviews: An Anthology of Beatles Covers, Ward Hayden Interprets Springsteen, and a Record about Records

With a LIttle Help from Our Friends

Among the many winners on this roller-coaster ride are soulful renditions of “Let It Be” by Aretha Franklin and “Hey, Jude” by Wilson Pickett, the latter with guitar by Duane Allman, and George Benson’s jazzified “You Never Give Me Your Money.”

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Music & Video Reviews: Rolling Stones’ ‘Black and Blue’ Box Set, plus Robert Gordon with Link Wray, and Melissa Carper’s Christmas Album

Melissa Carper's 'A Very Carper Christmas' is the best Christmas album of 2025, and one of the very best so far in this century.

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