“The Prodigal Son”: Ry Cooder’s Latest Reinvention
The roots-rocker returns with an album that (true to form) dips into everything from church music to New Orleans horns to social justice themes – all with his trademark twist. Plus, his son Joachim is the producer.
Saluting Jabo Starks: Five Takes on “Sex Machine”
When drummer Jabo Starks died in May 2018, we lost the last living link to that funky James Brown groove. But a wide array of artists, from Prince to Iggy Pop to Q Burns Abstract Message, furthered his contributions by incorporating his unique rhythmic vibe into some of their songs.
After Elton John Reached the Top, He Aimed Even Higher
How do you follow up classics like “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”? With an autobiographical masterpiece, that’s how. “Captain Fantastic” has aged exceptionally well – and is a wonderful peek into Elton John’s journey to rock-god stardom.
Everything Fab Four: The Esher Demos and the Beatles’ “White Album”
Forget souvenirs: The Beatles brought back a ton of musical ideas from their time in India. And etched them out in a single day at George Harrison’s home studio. Ken Womack, one of our resident Beatles experts, shares what went down in Esher.
American Primitive Has a Sound All Its Own
Showcasing American folk with a big dash of Celtic, Arabic and Hebrew, “The Thousand Incarnations of the Rose” puts the spotlight on folk guitarists John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Harry Taussig, and Robbie Basho.