In about the time it takes to peruse this piece you could listen to San Francisco hardcore micro-song master Tony Molina’s entire 2014 album, “Dissed And Dismissed.” It contains 12 tracks and runs a total of 11 and a half minutes. Yes, you read that right.. … More Tony Molina “Walk Away” (2014)
One of the great benefits of the forthcoming Joel Paterson album “Let It Be Guitar!” – to be released by Bloodshot Records on September 20th – is that my wife can casually enjoy some beautiful, new arrangements of completely recognizable Beatles tunes, while I can focus intently on the fabulous intricacies of Paterson’s highly developed, … More Joel Paterson “Michelle” (2019)
It’s Labor Day, which means the end of the summer, which for someone like me who so looks forward to the warm weather and so hates the cold, I can honestly only say, fuck that. But, in addition to its significance as a marker on the seasonal calendar, it is.. … More Average White Band “Work To Do” (1974)
Man, I did not love Rush. Until Rush was featured in the movie “I Love You, Man” – and at that, really after just one scene in particular. The 2009 bromance comedy stars Paul Rudd and Jason Segal, whose shared worship of Rush – the Canadian power trio known to them simply as The Holy Trinity.. … More Rush “Limelight” – scene from “I Love You, Man” (2009)
There are just too many great summer songs to mention, but The Lovin’ Spoonful made one of the best, “Summer In The City,” and omitting one letter from a lyric may have made it the greatest ever. … More The Lovin’ Spoonful “Summer In The City” (1966)
I’m quite sure there’s not a soul who needs me to try to describe the greatness of The Queen of Soul. Aretha Franklin was one of those artists that’s just universally accepted as magnificent, and deservedly so. Like the Mona Lisa, Aretha’s grandeur had long ago ceased to even be something to assert, her artistry … More Aretha Franklin “Today I Sing The Blues” (1961)
I got back to the garden. Not MSG, not that garden, but the one about which Joni Mitchell wrote and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young most famously sang: at the erstwhile home of Yasgur’s Farm, the mythical “garden” of Woodstock. This summer (this week, in fact) is exactly 50 years since “The Summer Of Love” … More Chris Stapleton “Midnight Train To Memphis” (2017)
Chris Shiflett has, for around 20 years, been the guitarist in two different bands, with two vastly different levels of notoriety: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, the greatest punk rock cover band ever (seriously, they are), and another one you’re more likely to have heard of, the Foo Fighters. Most recently, he’s set off … More Chris Shiflett “Sticks & Stones” (2017)
A lot of times I feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to listen to all the awesome rockin’ blues guitar there is. What’s a guy to do, except … More Guitar Shorty “Get Busy” (2004)
In 1975, Bruce Springsteen walked into legendary Greenwich Village music club The Bottom Line and played a 5-day/10-show residency that famously landed him simultaneously on the covers of Time and Newsweek. Five years later, Robert Gordon entered that same room, and from an uncomfortably close proximity … More Robert Gordon “Red Hot” (1977)
