The Wrecking Crew was the unofficial name of a group of successful musicians in the 1960s and 1970s, principally working in Los Angeles. These musicians worked on thousands of hit records and ran from session to session to work with the biggest names in the recording industry. Arguably, the three busiest drummers of this period … More Jim Gordon, Wrecking Crew Member, RIP
Video blogger Barry Robinson has ignited a firestorm with his recent blog about bands that should stop touring. Declining vocal and skills, crass commercialism, use of prerecorded enhancements and absence of original members are reasons noted for making the list. With some encouragement, I’ve developed my own list of artists that should pull the tour … More Too Old to Rock and Roll?
I got this idea from vlogger Glen From the Basement. Thanks Glen. The Beatles’ White Album has always held a special place for me. The songs helped fill an emotional crevasse for me fifty-odd years ago. That album has never aged, even if I have. The Beatles worked both as a band and solo in … More The White Album, Songs Ranked
Name a musician or band in the 20th Century, and Tom Dowd likely worked with them. From jazz to blues to R&B to rock to pop, he covered all the bases. Dowd was a member of a very select crowd of engineers/producers who piloted the greatest recorded music. There is a terrific documentary about him, … More Tom Dowd: Engineer/Producer
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, recorded by Derek and the Dominoes, was released in 1971. A two-record set, it was the only recorded studio album of Eric Clapton and Duane Allman playing together. The band would tour briefly (without Allman) and eventually release a live album, but like the other Clapton bands, would dissolve … More Layla Revisited: The Tedeschi-Trucks Band
Here are 25 albums that failed to get the love they deserve. These albums have taken a backseat in the artist’s catalog, perhaps without benefit of a charting single or surrounding a band lineup change. It may have gone out of print or the rights became tied up. Quality music fails to connect for a … More Underrated Albums
The job of the drummer is to drive the train. The exceptional drummers do so taking you on a journey you’ve never traveled. The best grooves get your attention, but aren’t showy. Yes, drummers can be self-indulgent with exaggerated playing, tiresome soloing and drum kits that need their own zip code. It’s very difficult for … More Best Drum Grooves
Back in the old days, music was recorded in an actual recording studio on analog tape machines. In the early days of the Beatles, engineers wore white lab coats and neckties. Experimentation was frowned upon and only certain approved personnel could touch the knobs. There was no school to learn the process of sound or … More Recording Engineers
In 1970, Dave Mason released his first solo album, the revered Alone Together, after the first version of Traffic crashed. Mason moved to America where a lot of roots music originated. He settled in Southern California, hanging out with Stephen Stills, Eric Clapton, Cass Elliott and others where a new sound was developing. This led … More Dave Mason: Alone Together, Again
Forgive me for not writing about this album before, or Eric Clapton for that matter. Where do you start with Clapton? I guess right here. Fifty years ago, this delight was delivered to record stores. Remember record stores? This was the third band for Clapton in just a couple of years. I am not sure … More Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)
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