Steven Wilson: Appetite for Construction
Sean MurphyTo point out the superhuman scale Steven Wilson operates on is like pondering whether Donald Trump's hair is for real. Wilson, whose name you may not know, nevertheless recorded a new…
It Was 335 Years Ago Today: A Brief History of Jethro Tull (Both of Them)
Most people knew Jethro Tull had been around forever, but more than three centuries?? Oh. You mean the actual British dude, Mr. Tull, whom the progressive band was named after?…
John Zorn: Rebel With A Cause
I'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…