Paint It Black (Sabbath)
Sean MurphyI'm so proud of my Pops. Last night, quite out of the blue (or, out of the black as the case may be), he said he had to ask me…
For You Blue: Remembering The Beatles’ “Blue Album”
Let us not forget, it’s the “Blue Album”. Before it was the cassette, the eight-track, CD or digital download, it was a record, played on things called record players. And…
Ten Songs To Celebrate The Fall of the Wall
Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, 1st Movement Grant Green, “Exodus” Rahsaan Roland Kirk, “Balm in Gilead” John Coltrane, “Psalm” Philip Glass, “String Quartet No. 5” Jimi Hendrix, “Beginnings” Bob…
The Messiah Will Come Again
No, not that Messiah. This Messiah: Actually, that's not true. We won't see Roy Buchanan again, since he left us back in 1988. Yet another unspeakably distressing musician suicide. Or was…
Henry Threadgill: This Brings Us To, Volume 1
This is a difficult review to write, knowing that the folks who follow Henry Threadgill are likely already aware of (or in possession of) this new release—his first in eight…
Six (Not So) Easy Pieces
Back in 2006, I recall reading many intriguing reviews of Daniel J. Levitin's book This Is Your Brain On Music. It's been on my Amazon wish list ever since, and…
If I Could Wave My Magic Wand…
It was twenty years ago today... No, seriously. Twenty years. Fall semester (because the world was still measured in summers and semesters), sophomore year. Out of all the indelible memories…
Sound & Vision: Featuring Jacob Miller
First of all, after Bob, somebody who I felt could have been a big star was Jacob Miller. Bob basically became a rock star in Jamaican music, and Jacob, I…
Sound & Vision: Featuring U-Roy
They sure don't make them like they used to. Album covers that is. In fact, they don't even make albums. Indeed, is anyone besides me even buying compact discs…