Doug Levitt Rides the Bus to the ‘Edge of Everywhere’
Doug Levitt is a journalist with a guitar, and Edge of Everywhere tells the tales of his 12 years and 120,000 miles riding the Greyhound bus all over America.
roots rock
Durand Jones’ Solo Debut Is Powerful and Personal
Braiding stirring songwriting prowess and beautiful vocals, Durand Jones has created one of the most assured and brightest debut albums in quite some time.
A Lost Revolution? 35 Years of ‘Tracy Chapman’
Today’s world needs a revolution. If Tracy Chapman teaches us anything, it’s that we need fundamental change to reckon with the issues she writes about.
The Band of Heathens Find Joy in Life’s ‘Simple Things’
The Band of Heathens care about the simple things: finding pleasure in being home with family, making music, hanging out with friends, and appreciating life.
John Fogerty in Concert: Still a Dynamic Jackrabbit at 77
Elder rock statesman John Fogerty puts on one of the most rocking, boogying shows this stodgy reviewer has seen in quite some time.
Straight Into Darkness: Tom Petty as Rock Mystic (Excerpt)
Happy 40th anniversary to Tom Petty’s Long After Dark album, an underrated manual for creatives in existential crisis. Enjoy this excerpt from Straight Into Darkness: Tom Petty as Rock Mystic.
T Bone Burnett and Company Cast Sci-Fi ‘Spells’ with an ‘Invisible Light’
T Bone Burnett, keyboardist Keefus Ciancia, and drummer Jay Bellerose create a dystopian vision of the future as the present on The Invisible Light: Spells.
Creedence Clearwater Revival Is the Eye in the Hurricane of John Lingan’s Biography
John Lingan’s expansive view of Creedence Clearwater Revival, A Song for Everyone, puts the band in the eye of the hurricane amid the era’s stormy American culture.
Supergroup Congotronics International Dazzle on ‘Where’s the One?’
Congotronics International, a supergroup of Konono Nº1 and Kasai Allstars members and guests, make their recorded debut with Where’s the One? It’s phenomenal.
‘Sweet Forgiveness’ Paved the Way for Bonnie Raitt’s Just Desserts 45 Years Ago
Sweet Forgiveness (1977) was Bonnie Raitt’s first breakthrough album, laying the groundwork for ‘Nick of Time’ and beyond. There can be no second act without a great first one.
Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler Became a Troubadour in His Solo Career
Mark Knopfler forsook Dire Straits’ arena rock to become a troubadour in his solo life. The Studio Albums 1996-2007 shows just how well that glove fits.
Driving Into Ry Cooder’s ‘Purple Valley’ 50 Years Later
Ry Cooder’s contributions to Americana are apparent in all of his albums. That’s particularly true of Into the Purple Valley, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.