Levon Helm: So Real It Makes You Believe
Sean MurphyThere are probably countless ways to talk about what makes a particular artist compelling, and all of them are true. There are not that many ways to articulate how or…
Happy 90th, Chazz
Today would have been (and, still is) Charles Mingus's 90th birthday. I've written about him often and I'll continue to write about him, not only because he is one of…
For J.D. Salinger, Jethro Tull and Me (Revisited)
It was 42 years ago, today, that Jethro Tull's third album, Benefit, was released. I wrote about it (and many other things) over the course of a productive day during…
Bright Moments, Revisited (Already)
Less than a month ago I elaborated on some of the ways music moves and inspires me. If you missed it (and it includes a couple of brief, necessary shout-outs…
Cerphe: Living History Lesson
In case you had any questions about whether or not local treasure Cerphe Colwell is a living legend, consider this Exhibit A. And, in case you were curious, there are a lot…
Five From The Yardbirds To Remember Keith Relf (Revisisted)
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…
Mo Max
Last time I celebrated the mighty Max Roach (check out the glory, here) there was not a ton of material on YouTube. A couple of years later and all kinds…
Five Songs to Welcome Spring
The incomparable John Fahey with the appropriately titled "When The Springtime Comes Again": Janácek's String Quartet "Intimate Letters", 3rd Movement: John Coltrane: "Equinox": Bob Marley, "Natural Mystic": Jethro Tull: "March,…
John Belushi’s Greatest Performance (Revisited)
How many people who would care to quibble that John Belushi’s endlessly quotable turn as “Bluto” Blutarsky does not represent his finest work? Not me. And yet, he had to…
Living Colour’s ‘Stain’: 19 Years Ago Today
Confession: I would not have known this album was released 19 years ago today if not for Vernon Reid's Facebook post. But I'm glad I saw it, because it gives…