John Zorn at 60
Sean MurphyI’ve written a great deal about John Zorn (in some detail here and here, and his name is appropriately dropped and checked in the course of discussions of other jazz musicians,…
Time Stand Still: Why Rush Belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
First things first. Just because Rush is finally getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it doesn’t mean that institution is not still problematic for reasons too…
Neil Young: Long May He Run
It's better to burn out than to fade away. When Neil Young sang that immortal line, he was 33 years old. That was 35 years ago. Neil Young is still…
Five From Albert Ayler, For M.L.K.
On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., 39, was shot to death in Memphis, Tenn. Spirits Rejoice: The Truth Is Marching In (alternate version here): Nobody…
Improving Upon Perfection, Part Four: Mick, Keith, Gram and Harriet
Parts 1-3 of this series here, here, and here. Normally I would have at least a little bit to say about each of these versions, but... Do I really need to say anything?…
For You Blue: The Beatles’ ‘Blue Album’, 40 Years Later
It was forty years ago, today. No, really. Check it out: Let us not forget, it’s the “Blue Album”. Before it was the cassette, the eight-track, CD or digital download,…
Five From The Yardbirds To Remember Keith Relf (Revisited)
Keith Relf. Who? Exactly. Quite possibly the best vocalist you've never heard of, you still have heard him if you are passingly familiar with rock music. Trust me. He was…
FELA MFing KUTI
I have written, lovingly, about my love of Fela Kuti (the man, his music, the myth), and you can see that HERE. (If you aren't familiar with this legend, get…
Eric Burdon + Internet = EPIC WIN!
The Internet wins, AGAIN. War, what's it good for? Some great music, along with Eric Burdon on this track, epitomizing the best sort of '60s hangover easing into a whole…
Jimi Hendrix: People, Hell & Angels
Do we, at this point, require further evidence that Jimi Hendrix was the most prodigiously gifted guitarist to ever play the instrument? We do not. Then again, we don’t need…