Spinal Tap’s Bassist Goes Solo… for Real
“Derek Smalls” (the genius Harry Shearer) knows that fine line between “clever and stupid” – and explores it in his new “Spinal Tap”- inspired solo album. Turns out, being an aging rock god makes for some great music.
Mike Barfield: All Hail the Tyrant of Texas Funk
Barfield’s brand of “Texas Funk” has blues and rock infused into its funkiness even if it is delivered by a guy that doesn’t look the part. Think of a six-foot leprechaun (with red lambchop sideburns) who shimmies like James Brown.
Cecil Taylor: Beyond the Boundaries of Jazz
This revolutionary artist broke jazz out of its “bebop” box, and took it to places no one ever imagined. Cecil Taylor also wrote poetry and music for dance performances. Many consider him as influential as Coltrane and Ellington; it’s a shame he didn’t get more commercial attention.
New Jazz 2018: Idris Ackamoor to Dan Weiss
Spacey “spiritual” jazz, Van Morrison’s gift for improv, an Estonian pianist, and a “brain-shattering version of Nirvana’s ‘Negative Creep’…these are just a few of the artists taking jazz music into entirely uncharted directions. Ready for it?
