Michael Elliott

Michael Elliott is a freelance writer and contributor to a variety of publications. He is also the author of 'Have A Little Faith: The John Hiatt Story', published in 2021 by Chicago Review Press. Michael grew up with music all around and learned to love it all, regardless of genre. He started in radio as a disc jockey at 16 and spent close to 30 years in the business as Program Director, Operations Manager, and Creative Director for a variety of stations. Michael is also a proud father, husband, and cat person.
Albert King’s ‘In Session’ Offers a Master Class in Mutual Respect

Albert King’s ‘In Session’ Offers a Master Class in Mutual Respect

In Session documents the night a one-time blues jam between guitarists Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan turned into a legendary moment.

Tribute LP Shines Light on the Underappreciated David Olney

Tribute LP Shines Light on the Underappreciated David Olney

Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney introduces one of America’s great but overlooked songwriters to a broader audience.

JD McPherson Adds New Wave Glam to His Rock ‘n’ Roll

JD McPherson Adds New Wave Glam to His Rock ‘n’ Roll

Nite Owls is JD McPherson’s most fully realized front-to-back example of his talent yet, and it points the way to an even more exciting follow-up.

Americana’s Shelby Lynne Writes Through the Pain

Americana’s Shelby Lynne Writes Through the Pain

Americana singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne talks to PopMatters about her acclaimed new album, Consequences of the Crown, and the long road it took to get here.

Overlong Tom Petty Country Tribute Falls Short of Its Subject

Overlong Tom Petty Country Tribute Falls Short of Its Subject

This country tribute LP honoring Tom Petty could have been half as long and twice as good with Rhiannon Giddens, Dolly Parton, and Jamey Johnson as highlights.

Slash’s Orgy of Destruction [or] ‘Blues Your Illusion’

Slash’s Orgy of Destruction [or] ‘Blues Your Illusion’

Orgy of the Damned finds Slash and his many guests bashing through the most over-played blues standards with the subtlety and grace of Axl Rose in a china shop.

The Wanting and Waiting Is Over as the Black Crowes Return

The Wanting and Waiting Is Over as the Black Crowes Return

The Black Crowes’ Happiness Bastards gives us ten good reasons to believe that rock and roll is still a long way from the graveyard.

Jerry Joseph Takes a Walk on the Bright Side

Jerry Joseph Takes a Walk on the Bright Side

Rocker Jerry Joseph takes a bite of the Big Apple, enlisting producer Eric Ambel to make a NYC rock ‘n’ roll record, Baby, You’re the Man Who Would Be King.

Paul Rodgers’ New LP Marks Return of One of Rock’s Best Voices

Paul Rodgers’ New LP Marks Return of One of Rock’s Best Voices

Paul Rodgers’ voice hasn’t diminished over the decades and remains as expressive and powerful as ever, even though Midnight Rose doesn’t match his best.

Thelma and the Sleaze’s ‘Holey Water’ Is the Rock Album We Need

Thelma and the Sleaze’s ‘Holey Water’ Is the Rock Album We Need

Thelma and the Sleaze continue their reign as the queens of loud, gaudy, disreputable rock ‘n’ roll on Holey Water, one of the funnest rock albums of the year.

Garage Popsters Bark Get ‘Loud’

Garage Popsters Bark Get ‘Loud’

Mississippi husband-and-wife duo Bark offer up power pop filtered through a hazy lens of distortion on Loud, their most fully realized work yet.

Two Seminal Titles Help Relaunch Original Jazz Classics Imprint

Two Seminal Titles Help Relaunch Original Jazz Classics Imprint

Legendary jazz reissue imprint reboots with pivotal recordings from the Miles Davis Quintet and the brilliantly collaborative Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.