Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
A live set from Willy DeVille embraces punk, doo-wop, Cajun, and Latin music.
Read More »Music Reviews: Willy DeVille’s ‘Venus of the Docks: Live in Bremen 2008,’ plus Erika Lewis, Michelle Malone, and Stew Cutler
Jazz
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.
Read More »Jazz Reviews: Julian Gerstin’s ‘Elusive Phenomena’; ‘Ojoyo Plays Safrojazz’
A new album from the percussionist Julian Gerstin and a reissue of "Safrojazz" from Ojoyo offer musical tours of the world – and of the collective psyche.
Read More »Music Reviews: Ian Noe and Duke Robillard, plus Genevieve Racette and Jefferson Ross
Noe's fine sophomore album recalls John Prine. Blues guitarist Robillard, whose career has spanned more than half a century, serves up 18 high-energy tracks.
Read More »Music Reviews: Judy Collins’s ‘Spellbound’ and Natalie Cole’s ‘Unforgettable,’ plus Tone of Voice Orchestra, the Lied To’s, and Back pOrchEstra
Collins's 55th album is also the first to consist entirely of self-penned material. Also: a reissue of Cole's tribute to her father's music and new releases from three up-and-coming acts.
Read More »Music Reviews: A Deluxe Edition of the Band’s ‘Cahoots,’ plus ABBA and Paul Kelly
The Band's fourth LP reappears as a 50th-anniversary box set, plus ABBA's first album in 40 years and a noteworthy Christmas CD.
Read More »Music Reviews: David Crosby, plus Steve Goodman, People Years, John DeNicola, and a Landslide Records Anthology
An expanded reissue offers a second chance to appreciate David Crosby's critically derided solo debut, which was also his last album under his own name for 18 years.
Read More »Music Review: Fanfare Ciocarlia – ‘It Wasn’t Hard To Love You’
'It Wasn't Hard To Love You' from Fanfare Ciocarlia is an exhilarating and life-affirming album that is just what the doctor ordered in these troubled times.
Read More »