Tag Archives: rock and roll

Muleskinner Jones’s Death Row Hoedown, and Terrible Stories EP

Muleskinner Jones is the English answer to the Handsome Family, crossed with the off-kilter cowpunk of the Meat Puppets, say, or perhaps Butthole Surfers. It’s a hole in the current musical scene that was just begging to be filled, and … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Muleskinner Jones’s Death Row Hoedown, and Terrible Stories EP

Various artists’ The Best of The Johnny Cash TV Show, 1969-1971

American musicians always have, for the most part, understood that the various categories of American music are mostly imaginary. They’re marketing tools drawn up by those in the business of selling music to the public, and they cater mostly to … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Music | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Various artists’ The Best of The Johnny Cash TV Show, 1969-1971

Podcast review: Discord & Rhyme episode 125, The Beach Boys’ All Summer Long and Sunflower

I was never a super fan of the Beach Boys. I liked all of their hit singles – and there were a LOT of them – at least those that were played on the radio after I started paying attention … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Podcast review: Discord & Rhyme episode 125, The Beach Boys’ All Summer Long and Sunflower

Seven Nations’ The Pictou Sessions, and Seven Nations (self-titled)

Some months back, I raved about Seven Nations’ 1999 release The Factory. Now I’m back with a pair of releases from one of the best Celtic rock bands out there. The Pictou Sessions, released in 2000 on their own label, … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Seven Nations’ The Pictou Sessions, and Seven Nations (self-titled)

Seven Nations’ The Factory

It’s almost inexcusable that I could have had this particular gem in my collection for so long and not written a review of it. I confess, then, that I was saving it for a rainy day, and as I fear … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Seven Nations’ The Factory

Commentary: RIP Jimmy Buffett

Well. I didn’t see this one coming. Mr. Margaritaville has transitioned to the Big Beach. I’m not a real Parrot Head, as the Buffett fanatics call themselves. I stopped following him in the mid-80s, when he started getting played on … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Commentary: RIP Jimmy Buffett

Son Volt’s Okemah and the Melody of Riot

Jay Farrar has put out a record that is a worthy successor to his band Son Volt’s 1995 debut, Trace. Okemah and the Melody of Riot is a masterpiece that reflects – somberly, angrily and joyfully – on the current … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Son Volt’s Okemah and the Melody of Riot

Ramsay Midwood’s Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant

Anyone who’s ever held a special place in their heart for Dr. John’s Gris-Gris, Dylan and The Band’s The Basement Tapes, or Tom Wait’s Swordfish Trombones can just stop reading right here, and go and buy this CD with confidence! … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Ramsay Midwood’s Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant

Richard Thompson: An interview on the occasion of his appearance at WOMADelaide 2001, Australia

A few things have changed in Richard Thompson’s life since his last visit to town for WOMADelaide 1997. For a brief moment, he even tasted some commercial success with his album Mock Tudor cracking the UK Top 30 last year, … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Richard Thompson: An interview on the occasion of his appearance at WOMADelaide 2001, Australia

Paul Grushkin & Dennis King’s The Art of Modern Rock

A long time ago, more years than I’d like to count, I was the assistant editor of my high school yearbook. Okay, it was 1968 and we had an art editor who was deeply influenced by the posters coming from … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Graphic Literature | Tagged , | Comments Off on Paul Grushkin & Dennis King’s The Art of Modern Rock