Gerry Rafferty “Baker Street” (1978)
..there’s an extremely prominent saxophone, a conspicuous line that has been called the most recognizable sax riff in pop music history, which was played by guy named Raphael Ravenscroft, an unheralded, utterly unrecognizable session musician who suggested he play on an alto sax a part that was originally intended to be sung... Read More
Beyonce “Love On Top” (2011)
In ‘Love On Top’ Queen Bey incorporates four key changes. And it sounds simply magnificent. Beyoncé is The Queen for plenty of reasons, but let it not be forgotten that amongst her many majestic traits she also possesses one astounding voice.... Read More
Rush “YYZ” (1981)
The rock world lost a giant this week. Whatever your opinion of Rush, Neil Peart was a unique force of nature behind the drums (and, critically, also the band's principal lyricist). RIP to a drum deity... Read More
The Pretenders “Mystery Achievement” (1980)
There’s a real art to playing fake instruments. Air guitarists are obviously most prevalent, but finding the proper level of verisimilitude can be tricky. You’ve got to seek the right amount of exaggerated performance, of theatrics, while still enacting moves akin to actual guitar wailing..... Read More
Oscar Peterson “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (1995)
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been acquiring a Christmas album each year. The last decade or so, though, my go-to choice has been Oscar Peterson, and his genre-perfecting, “An Oscar Peterson Christmas.” Without question, it’s the best sitting-around-the-fire Christmas album I know.... Read More
Mariah Carey “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (1994)
Whether you love her or loathe her, you have to admit Mariah Carey has had a pretty amazing career. She's had 19 Billboard #1 songs - only The Beatles have more - with the latest coming just this month via a record released 25 years ago..... Read More
Rolling Stones “Rip This Joint” (1972)
The other day when I heard the Rolling Stones breakneck barnburner ‘Rip This Joint’ on the radio, I thought to myself, “That has absolutely got to be the most righteous, balls-out rocker ever recorded” (or some similarly critical reflection). Following the snarling first track on the Stones messy masterpiece, “Exile on Main St.”... Read More
Alejandro Escovedo “Faith” (2010)
To date, my musings in this blog have only covered music, and at times my personal relationship to it. I hope any readers may abide me a momentary detour, however, if for no other reason than that it eventually ties to a fantastic song by Alejandro Escovedo on which Bruce Springsteen also prominently appears.... Read More
The Temptations “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” (1966)
The O’Jays sang “I love music. Any kind of music.” The Doobie Brothers said “Music is the doctor. Makes you feel like you want to.” Joan Jett exclaimed succinctly, “I love rock and roll.” In The Big Chill, Kevin Kline’s character, Harold, could simply find no words.... Read More
Steely Dan “Bodhisattva”
It’s doubtful you would ever think of Steely Dan as a “guitar solo” band, and that’s true in part because their jazz/R&B/rock amalgam never made them a typical rock and roll group, but also due to the fact that their ostensible main guitarist, co-founder, Walter Becker, played only a fraction of them... Read More