Stone Black aims high with a familiar formula
Expectations are tricky things. You can crack open a CD with basically one of two mindsets: “This is going to be good,” or “Ugh. I need a drink.”
Local lo-fi gets a high five
By Chris Cooper
Morning Missed: Broken Cords Of Rotten Wood
Elana James: A fiery violinist takes it solo
By Chris Cooper
Swing can take many forms. It can bop and bounce like Calloway and Ellington, or it can sprout a 10-gallon hat and spurs in the hands of Bob Wills and his Playboys. It’s been reborn time and again whenever a younger generation looks to the past for something new and inspiring to embrace. After all, “it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.”
Darren Nicholson: Darren Nicholson
By Chris Cooper
Yeah, it’s a quip that’s terribly overused — the one about “... there must be something in the water...”
A hip, humanitarian collaboration
By Chris Cooper
Some conclusions could be drawn after listening to Rhythms Del Mundo in its entirety.
I Got A Guitar For Christmas ... Now What Do I Do?
By Chris Cooper
Christmas is one of those times where there’s a surge of buying in the instrument market, and much of that buying involves some lucky kid (or adult) getting their first guitar. So what I’d like to do here is provide some insight into getting the most out of that initial phase of playing and learning, list what extras you really may need, and give a little insight as to what elements make up a “good” guitar.
Speace’s style still rings true
Something I’ve noticed over the years is that the longer you’re on this planet, the smaller said planet seems to become. This observation becomes especially true if you find yourself immersed in a particular field or occupation for a long time — paths that may have crossed long ago, seemingly by coincidence, inevitably find a way to cross again later.
Three from the vault
By Chris Cooper
I’m beginning to notice a relationship between the acquisition of “new” used CDs at my place of employment and my need to write in a “multiple CD” review format. Coincidence? I think not. But this week I was reminded, for the umpteenth time, that there is indeed a veritable smorgasbord of great music waiting to be heard out there.
Inspired effort from the Smiths has something for everyone
By Chris Cooper
Inspiration comes from a variety of sources. And as much as a new love, a rainy day or a broken heart can provide the fuel for inspired songwriting and performance, so can the pain of loss and the need to understand and deal with it.
Effortless extraction from the days of fusion
By Chris Cooper
Music, and the artists that make it, have no choice but to evolve as time goes by. For many rock-oriented instrumentalists that came into prominence during the 80s, this has been a difficult thing.
