Archive for December, 2010
Todd Rundgren: With A Twist
An unheralded and rare gem, this 1997 release by Todd Rundgren is one of my all-time favorites. “With A Twist” serves up some of his classic songs with bossa nova styling, and is nothing short of addictive. Enjoy!
A Visit with Karla Bonoff
Below are excerpts of an interview by singer-songwriter Catie Curtis with Karla Bonoff that appeared in the Jan/Feb 2000 Issue of Performing Songwriter. I remember spending much of the early ’80s in a stiff Shaker chair by the record player in my parents’ kitchen, hunched over my guitar, completely absorbed in the contentment of learning […]
Eugene Ruffolo: Even Santa Gets The Blues
The warm, familiar voice of NYC singer-songwriter Eugene Ruffolo is the perfect complement to eggnog and tree lights as we slide into our final holiday stretch. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Dave Barnes: Very Merry Christmas
‘Tis the season for Christmas albums to spin, and one of this years’ best is Dave Barnes’ soulful and swingin’ “Very Merry Christmas.” It’s a wonderful holiday affair from one of Nashville’s brightest stars.
Josh Ritter
One of the “Top 100 Living Songwriters,” Josh Ritter’s imagination runs wild creating tuneful short stories filled with literary, historical and scientific references. Inspired by copious amounts of wine and food at Vutera, he and pal, Richard examine the creative process, the fear of failure and life as a journey rather than a destination.
Jim Morrison, a Pardon and the FBI
Today, over 40 years after the fact, Jim Morrison was posthumously pardon by Florida’s Clemency Board after being pushed on the matter by outgoing Governor and Board member Charlie Crist. At the hearing, Crist called the convictions a “blot” on the record of an acomplished artist for “something he may or may not have done.” […]
Take 6: The Standard
Whether delivering jazz, gospel, R&B or doo-wop, this a capella supergroup has been delighting audiences and wowing critics for 30 years with their stunning vocal harmonies. I think Take 6’s Grammy-nominated The Standard is one of their very best, and “Shall We Gather At the River” is simply stunning!
Yoko and me. A love story.
by Julie Gold 10.2004.NYC This year, on the 30 anniversary of the day John Lennon left this earth, we’re sharing a story by Grammy award-winning “From a Distance” songwriter Julie Gold about the moment she and Yoko Ono shared on what would have been John’s 64th birthday in 2004. After it ran in Performing Songwriter […]
Happy Birthday, Chris Hillman!
Before there was Wilco or Lucinda Williams, before Jackson Browne or the Eagles, before Willie and Waylon grew their hair long and called themselves outlaws, Chris Hillman was forging the path they would all follow. A teenage mandolin prodigy, Hillman was barely in his 20s when he founded the Byrds with Roger McGuinn, David Crosby […]
Ozzy’s Urban Legend
The more lurid and grizzly rock’s urban legends are, the longer they tend to endure. They catch the sideshow aspect of rock ’n’ roll, and whether we’ll admit it or not, everyone likes a good sideshow. One of the most enduring is that of “The Prince of Darkness” biting the head off a bat. So […]