John Zorn: Rebel With A Cause
Sean MurphyI've not had much to say, in print, to this point about John Zorn for a variety of reasons, but it ultimately boils down to two very simple issues. First,…
(Not) Sucking in the ’70s: Jazz, Volume One
Yes, sometimes you can judge an album by its cover. Especially if it Jazz. Most especially if it was from the '70s (that Sun Ra cover is from the…
Jazz Is Recession-Proof
John Coltrane. Eric Dolphy. McCoy Tyner. Elvin Jones. Any questions?
Bad Brains Before Bad Brains?
This is the reason you always remain humble, if not entirely content in the knowledge of how little you actually know. Not only about all the great art we know…
I’m too deeply in love to answer questions
Question: Isn't that the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? Answer: Yes, that rug really ties the room together. Question: Seriously, who is that? Answer: They are identical twins. Question:…
Another Great Bluesman Has Left The Building
John Cephas, R.I.P. Sad news coming across the wire this morning. A nice appreciation in today's Washington Post here. Of course, it gets tiresome adding another name to list of…
Art. Ensemble. Of. Chicago.
It’s cold here in DC. There is dirty slush in the streets. We are facing uncertain economic times. Quick! Give me some jazz. This song may not salvage your 401-k…
The Case for Neko
Count me among the hundreds (thousands? millions?) of heartsick saps who would crawl over broken glass in a barbed wire belt to secure a few moments in the presence of…
Dan Auerbach: Keep It Hid (Popmatters.com review)
Dan is the Man Is anybody not yet on board? The conductor is certainly making it difficult to ignore him. In early 2008 he, along with his co-conspirator in the…
The Humble Calf: A Conversation with Burning Spear (from popmatters.com)
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/64274-the-humble-calf-a-conversation-with-burning-spear/ It is impossible to talk about Burning Spear now without talking about Burning Spear then. Four decades and still dropping knowledge: no other artist, with the possible exception of…