In Defense of Good Sax, Part One
Sean MurphyA writer whom I respect recently made an offhand observation that I'd like to challenge --not because his opinion isn't valid but rather because it seems representative of a casual…
Forever Never Changes: Remembering Arthur Lee
Arthur Lee died eight years ago this week (August 3, 2006). I not only am keen to remember --and celebrate-- his life and work, I also appreciate the fact that…
Fantômas: Fifteen Years Later
A writer should always set challenges: it keeps things interesting and guards against formulaic and predictable assessments. Still, as Harry Callahan sagely observed, "A man's gotta know his limitations." I…
Mr. Bungle’s California: Fifteen Years Later
*8/5/14: This dropped a little over five years ago, which is difficult to fathom. This album dropped a little over fifteen years ago, which is exceedingly difficult to fathom. ***…
Wayne Shorter: JuJu at 50
Fifty years ago, today, this masterpiece dropped on an unworthy world. Borrowing Coltrane's band, Wayne Shorter proved he could bring the ruckus like the best of them. This, in fact,…
Via the Spectrum Road with Vernon Reid (Revisited)
Listening to Vernon Reid speak is like listening to Vernon Reid play the guitar: you need both ears and all your mind to keep up. Ideas flow eagerly, thoughts within…
Ripe with Rich Attainments: Jethro Tull’s ‘A Passion Play’, Reassessed
For prog-rock aficionados, the hits keep coming, and one man above all deserves our gratitude: Steven Wilson. Whether it’s Yes, King Crimson, or Jethro Tull—all of whom he has worked…
Amy Winehouse: Lack of Love is A Losing Game (Revisited)
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to write about Amy Winehouse via Howard Sounes' book 27. (Full review here.) Here is the crux: For his new book, 27, Howard…
Hell’s Not Gonna Be Hot Enough: Johnny Winter, R.I.P.
Hell is not gonna be hot enough for this cat. R.I.P. Johnny Winter, an American bad-ass of the first rank. An albino playing the blues? Duh. Most young, uninitiated punks…
Echoing out of the Passion Play…
Wow. So I'm working on (yet another) feature about Jethro Tull, this time about the recently released deluxe reissue of A Passion Play. (See previous ones HERE, HERE, HERE, and …