Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Reviews of reissues from Jonathan Richman, plus Dolly Parton, Smithereens, Peggy Lee, and Fredrik Lundin & Odense Jazz Orchestra.
Read More »Music Reviews: Jonathan Richman Reissues, plus Dolly Parton, the Smithereens, Peggy Lee, and Fredrik Lundin
Reviews music
Music and Film Reviews: Billy Joel’s ‘Live at Yankee Stadium’ and John Mellencamp’s ‘Scarecrow’ (Deluxe Ed.), plus Dee Clark, Luke LeBlanc, the Great Divide, Rick Berthod, and Daniel Sherrill
A hits-filled Billy Joel concert surfaces on CD and Blu-ray, plus reviews of a deluxe reissue of John Mellencamp's "Scarecrow" and more new releases.
Read More »Concert Review (DC): National Symphony Orchestra, Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers – World Premiere of Amelia Earhart-Inspired ‘Blue Electra’ by Michael Daugherty
An exciting new violin concerto and a top soloist highlighted the National Symphony Orchestra's concert at the Kennedy Center.
Read More »Book and Music Reviews: Bob Dylan’s ‘The Philosophy of Modern Song,’ plus Tommy James and World Party
Bob Dylan's first book since 2004 offers his quirky take on more than five dozen popular songs. Plus, reissues from Tommy James and World Party.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Beatles’ ‘Revolver’ (Super Deluxe Edition) and Lou Reed’s ‘Words & Music,’ plus Trampled by Turtles, a Boston Soul Anthology, Mali Obomsawin, Jonas Fjeld, and Julian Taylor
The Beatles’ ‘Revolver’ Reappears as a Box Set Can we pinpoint the time when the Beatles took their first giant step beyond creating extraordinary pop/rock love songs to chase even loftier ambitions? The answer is yes: It was April 1966, a mere three years after the UK release of their …
Read More »Music Reviews: Leonard Cohen Tribute, Roy Orbison, Joe Ely, Dean Torrence, the Claudettes, and Daphne Parker Powell
A dozen artists interpret Leonard Cohen classics, plus a Roy Orbison reissue, new music from Joe Ely and more new releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: Pink Floyd’s Remixed ‘Animals,’ Mark Knopfler’s ‘Studio Albums 2009–2018,’ and Rory Block’s ‘Ain’t Nobody Worried’
A remix of Pink Floyd's 'Animals' finally appears, plus another box of Mark Knopfler solo albums and covers from Rory Block.
Read More »Music Review: Luke LeBlanc – ‘Fugue State’
The elemental simplicity of the chord changes and the weary, indomitable creak of LeBlanc's vocals support a classic sense of melody and a distinctive artistic sensibility.
Read More »Music Reviews: Wilco’s ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ (20th Anniversary Edition), plus Gene McDaniels and the Heptones
A box set explores the creative process behind Wilco's 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.' Plus, reviews of CDs from Gene McDaniels and the Heptones.
Read More »Music Reviews: ‘Gotta Get a Good Thing Goin’ – Black Music in Britain in the Sixties,’ plus Elliott Murphy and John Fullbright
A new anthology surveys music by Black artists in the UK in the 1960s. Also: reviews of new albums by Elliott Murphy and John Fullbright.
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