Tag Archive | rock
Feature Review: Stew & the Negro Problem, Making It
Stew & the Negro Problem Making It [Tight Natural Productions (2011)] For nearly 15 years, singer-songwriter Stew and bassist/arranger/composer Heidi Rodewald were a couple as well as musical partners in two groups—the Negro Problem and Stew. After the pair’s successful collaboration on the Tony winning musical Passing Strange, their personal relationship started to unravel, and [...]
Review: The Bangles, Sweetheart of the Sun
The Bangles Sweetheart of the Sun [Model Music Group (2011)] Surprise (probably): The Bangles are back! Well, technically, they were gone by the late 1980s, then came back for Doll Revolution in 2003 and stepped away for a bit. But now they’ve delivered Sweetheart of the Sun, and it is a sweetheart of a disk, [...]
DVD Review: Peter Gabriel, New Blood: Live In London
Peter Gabriel New Blood: Live In London [Eagle Rock (2011)] I so admire musicians who stretch and push the envelope. It might be Springsteen bringing The Seeger Sessions to the world, or Metallica collaborating with the San Francisco Symphony, or perhaps jazz great Diane Schuur lovingly interpreting country classics. Growth and validity as an artist [...]
Review: June and Jean Millington, Play Like a Girl
June and Jean Millington Play Like a Girl [Self-released (2011)] Thirty-some years ago, sisters June and Jean Millington were breaking new ground with Fanny, one of the first hard-rocking, self-contained “all-girl” rock and roll bands (with a band name cheekily supplied by George Harrison). Rounded out by keyboardist Nickey Barclay and drummer Alice de Buhr, [...]
Review: Lindsey Buckingham, Seeds We Sow
Lindsey Buckingham Seeds We Sow [Mind Kit Records/Eagle Rock (2011)] Seeds We Sow is Lindsey Buckingham‘s sixth solo album since leaving Fleetwood Mac, and his first self-release effort. As a guitar player, Buckingham ranks as one of the best, and this album serves as a reminder of just how good he is. Many of the tracks [...]
Reviews: June Star, Slow Dance; and Timothy Bracken, Long Untied
Timothy Bracken Long Untied [Self-released (2012) ] June Star Slow Dance [Self-released (2012)] Timothy Bracken is willing to live just on the edge of pop, writing catchy and familiar-sounding tunes that slip into unfamiliar territory just before the listener gets too comfortable. As a guitar player, he can write a mean riff (“Slightly Damaged”), cop [...]
Feature Review: Live from the Old Town School of Folk Music
Various Artists Live from the Old Town School of Folk Music For nearly 55 years, Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music has played a key role in popularizing, promoting, and (of course) teaching folk, blues, and world music. Over the six decades of its existence, the school has put on thousands of concerts, and seem most of [...]
Feature Review: Paul Simon, Songwriter
Paul Simon Songwriter [Legacy (2011)] Songwriter is the tenth compilation album released of Paul Simon’s work since his split with Garfunkel, and the 12th if you count two box sets. Why he is releasing another compilation, considering that he also released a new album in April of this year? Although the included tracks are not [...]
Review: Surfer Blood, Tarot Classics
Surfer Blood Tarot Classics [Kanine Records (2011)] I really never thought I’d hear myself say this, but only when Surfer Blood start to resist the urge to talk girls over pop confection do they start to grab me on this little four-song tour trinket. There’s still not much that’s more nod-inducing in modern beach pop [...]
Review: Patti Smith, Outside Society
Patti Smith Outside Society [Legacy (2011)] In an age of Lady Gaga and the late Amy Winehouse, it’s easy to forget how revolutionary Patti Smith was when she made the transition from beat poet [and the romantic partner of controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989)], to taking on rock and roll and becoming the undisputed “godmother [...]
Review: Paul Brady, Hooba Dooba
Paul Brady Hooba Dooba [Proper American Records (2011)] Paul Brady, one of Ireland’s best-known singer-songwriters, has released Hooba Dooba, his 12th solo album, and believe me, it’s cause for some fireworks or at least a few “yip yip” yodels at your nearest Irish bar. Known primarily in America for writing crafty hit songs for others [...]
Review: Willie Nile, The Innocent Ones
Driftwood’s been nominated for a Mobbie again! You can vote for us once a day right here. Remember, you don’t have to be in Baltimore to vote. — Willie Nile The Innocent Ones [River House Records (2011)] Willie Nile has had his share of tribulations in the music business. Despite ringing endorsements from artists like, say, [...]
