Category Archives: music

3 + 3 > 5, ergo The Isleys were more talented than the Jacksons, QED. On “The Highways of My Life” brother-in-law Chris Jasper is immortal on piano and ARP synthesizer. Wikipedia says Stevie Wonder was making Innervisions down the … Continue reading →

Slate’s Carl Wilson said it well “Elvis Costello’s New Album Is His Best This Century” Yes it is. Look Now has the horns and backing vocals of Punch the Clock, more Bacharach collaborations like Painted from Memory, varied production that … Continue reading →

I somehow found out about Acid Jazz in 1992 entirely through a few compilation CDs. One of them (100% Acid Jazz) contained an effervescent funky pop song called “Mini” by Corduroy, about… the Mini car. I like the way your … Continue reading →

The most excellent Brandon Harris asked his followers for musical “must pick one” binary choices. My thoughts (I refuse to pick!): Johnny Cash or Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson or Prince Both choices are earthshaking performer vs. musical creator. MJ delivered … Continue reading →

Happy Valentine’s Day! Setting up a global guarantee One of the sweetest love songs is “Wonderful World,” written and performed by Sam Cooke (who rewrote the original Lou Adler & Herb Alpert song). Go listen: Don’t know much about geography … Continue reading →

“Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)” is a perfect pop song, then check the personnel and it’s not surprising – the talent involved is off the charts. Co-written by Stevie Wonder; Aretha’s own gorgeous piano intro … Continue reading →

Another one gone. I own all the studio Steely Dan albums up to “Two Against Nature,” they’re simply masterful. A few years ago Google alerted me to a “new” Steely Dan album which turned out to be unauthorized bootlegs of … Continue reading →