What happens a career hits a dead-end? I was thinking about Eric Clapton the other day. In the early 1973, Clapton was addicted to drugs and his career was in the dumps. Not very many people remember those times, in part because he rebuilt his career, and his guitar legacy only grew. In America, second … More Left for Dead: Amazing Career Resurrections
I can’t believe that singer Lucinda Williams is 70 years old! Thankfully, she is showing no signs of slowing down, and she’s just released her memoirs. Don’t Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You (2023, Crown Publishing) has just been released and it’s as introspective and haunting as her music. “Too country for rock and … More Lucinda Williams’ Don’t Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You (book review)
The challenge has been accepted, three consecutive studio albums released by artist or band. My top 20 list of consecutive releases. No live or greatest hits allowed. The list of course is very subjective and is absent some major artists, and some remarkable albums. No Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Beach Boys, Grateful Dead or Van … More Three Great Consecutive Musical Albums Released (my list of 20)
America was great until the damn liberals, poor people, those of color or different ideas and unwashed, longhaired communists started to make trouble. Life was good in Christian, Wonder Bread America before the criticism and protests. It was those commie longhairs that tried to destroy what’s good about this country. If they don’t like it, … More Blame it on the Hippies for Wanting a Better America
I love progressive-rock music, but I’ve never connected with Yes’s majestic Tales From Topographic Oceans. The album is hailed in prog-rock circles as one of the most influential albums of all time. The album is 50 years old in 1973, certainly a time for reflection and discussion, and perhaps another chance to fall in love. … More How I Learned to Stop Fearing Tales From Topographic Oceans and Love the Album
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
It was the psychedelic sixties, and for a brief period, rock and roll was hippy, spacey and trippy. Actually, one could say that psychedelic music continued well into the seventies, if you count the offshoot into space-rock, fusion and funk-rock – but who’s counting? My point is that what we commonly refer to “psychedelic rock” … More Their Satanic Majesties Request: The Rolling Stones’ Answer to Sgt. Pepper?
I try not to be a stick in the mud about my musical preferences, as I’ve been known to happen across some fine artists in categories other than my favorites. Here are a few I’m happy to share. Lizzo, Special (2022) Talk about unexpected surprises! I’d never heard a Lizzo song until I checked out … More Fresh Music: Discovering Great Music From Yesterday and Today
Ranking the Beatles’ albums, probably the favorite music topic of bloggers. I’ll follow my colleagues by name my favorite five songs on each album. Ready, set, go! 13. With the Beatles (1963) – Too many covers for me, but still a wonderful album. “Rollover Beethoven,” “I Wanna Be Your Man,” “All My Loving,” “Money” and … More Beatles Albums Ranked: My List
Johnny Cougar. What a stupid name. John Cougar Mellencamp. Still a stupid name. Finally, Mellencamp had enough clout to insist on dropping “Cougar” from any version of his name. Mellencamp’s music was always difficult to categorize. The record company wanted another Bruce Springsteen-type pop-rocker. Instead of The Boss, you had Cougar. Just kidding. But not … More John Mellencamp’s Scarecrow: Rural Electrification (a look back)
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