Archive for September, 2012
Kurt Elling: 1619 Broadway – The Brill Building Project
A jazzy salute to the legendary creative home of the writer’s of enduring classics like “On Broadway,” “So Far Away,” and “You Send Me.”
Happy Birthday, Ray Charles—We Miss You!
It seems the word “genius” is bandied about far too often, but when you’re talking about Ray Charles, no other word will do. As a pianist, singer, songwriter, arranger and band leader, Charles almost single-handedly invented modern R&B music. Born Ray Charles Robinson on Sept. 23, 1930, he climbed up on a piano bench at […]
The Gaddabouts: Look Out Now!
The supergroup featuring Edie Brickell, drumming great Steve Gadd, bassist Pino Palladino and guitarist Andy Fairweather Low serve up a sophomore album of sonic treats.
In Response to 9/11: The Healing Power of Music
On this anniversary of 9/11—as on every previous anniversary—I listen to music. No television, no newspapers. Just music. Because songwriters create the melodies that reach places I can’t quite get to on my own, and the words I long to say. Their songs become my heart’s voice and companion. Eleven years ago I couldn’t imagine […]
Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”
“Bohemian Rhapsody” is like a condensed version of the second side of Abbey Road, with makeup and tights. Six minutes of flamboyant patchwork pop—a capella intro, sentimental verses, faux-Italian chorale, a thundering glam-metal climax—it’s a testament to Freddie Mercury’s adeptness as a songwriter and Queen’s musicianship that the disparate parts add up to such a […]