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Charles Bradley: Soul of America

Most will know of Charles Bradley (a thorough mensch) through the documentary Soul of America. I’ve been listening closely to his excellent three albums No Time For Dreaming, Victim of Love, and Changes but have come to the view that his best is yet to come. The latest features a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” and even has Charles doing an…

I Am the Blues

I’m very much looking forward to seeing this documentary featuring Bobby Rush, Barbara Lynn, Henry Gray, Carol Fran, Little Freddie King, Lazy Lester, Bilbo Walker, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, RL Boyce, LC Ulmer, and Lil’ Buck Sinegal. (click image for details). H/T the wonderful Holger Peterson. Barbara LynnBilbo WalkerbluesBobby RushCarol FranHenry GrayHolger PetersonJimmy “Duck” HolmesLazy LesterLC UlmerLil’…

Monophonics: In Your Brain

Four years ago this classic album by the Monophonics was released. And they are currently on tour. Though there doesn’t seem to be much of anything of substance written on the band, this review of their latest comes closest to capturing their spirit. Now if you don’t know who the Dap-Kings are (as per quote…

Big News for “Pops” Aficionados

The Louis Armstrong House Museum has acquired the only known film of the great jazz musician in a recording studio, recording the 1959 album, “Satchmo Plays King Oliver.” This exclusive video depicts Armstrong and his All Stars recording the master take of “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” as well as silent footage of them listening to…

Dirty Mind

Neither For You nor Prince was adequate preparation for the full-blown masterpiece of Prince’s third album, Dirty Mind. Recorded in his home studio, with Prince playing nearly every instrument, Dirty Mind is a stunning, audacious amalgam of funk, new wave, R&B, and pop, fueled by grinningly salacious sex and the desire to shock. Where other…

Want to See Women’s Equality? Look to Jazz

Mark Judge article in Acculturated (Mark can be excused for using the tarnished term “liberal” which unfortunately gives genuine free speech liberals a bad name). Many of the best jazz musicians are women, and many of them are creating brilliant music. Furthermore, they create without having to resort to shedding clothing or causing public scandal to…

Allen Toussaint’s Final Release

The master’s final release. The blurb from Nonsuch Records as follows: “American Tunes is the final recording from legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint. It was produced by Joe Henry and features both solo piano recordings made at Toussaint’s home studio in New Orleans and others made in Los Angeles with musicians like Jay Bellerose,…

Tony Visconti

Tony Visconti really was the natural heir to George Martin. Check out Tony’s thoughts on the state of the music industry — there is no-one as distinguished and so able to offer the ultimate insider’s diagnosis on the malaise of creativity that we know has well and truly flattened the creative landscape over the past 20…