London, Reign Over Me: How England’s Capital Built Classic Rock 

London, Reign Over Me: How England’s Capital Built Classic Rock [Rowman & Littlefield, February 2020] by Stephen Tow I wasn’t alone in thinking that nearly everything pouring ... Continue Reading →

Chris Isaak’s Christmas Show – A Jolly Time Was Had By All

Chris Isaak has been lighting up concert stages for many decades. I recall fondly his LA debut in the early 1980s at the Roxy on Sunset, replete with tiki lights adorning the stage. ... Continue Reading →

Shawn Colvin and Mary Chapin Carpenter – An Inspired Evening

It is a very astute move, pairing two sympatico artists for a tour. A dozen years ago I saw the first few shows of what became a landmark tour of James Taylor and Carole King. And more ... Continue Reading →

Wilderado – Live at Ogden Theatre, Denver

What a great thing; tracking a band’s steady upward trajectory. We first encountered Wilderado on the early bill at Ohana Festival. The quartet was in the first flush of success, ... Continue Reading →

Beatles v Stones – A Clever Non-Rivalry That Goes Back Half a Century

The rivalry goes back half a century, drummed up by a clever publicist. The bands actually enjoyed each other, Lennon and McCartney gave the Stones “I Wanna Be Your Man.” In ... Continue Reading →

The Who – It Was Once Only Ten Strings

This is the one band I see with trepidation. The band was invincible for a decade after their first single (“I Can’t Explain” in 1965), and I went all in. Top choice. Their show ... Continue Reading →

The Story of Music on Two Islands – Jamaica, Britain, Ska, Reggae and Punk – “Rudeboy: The Story Of Trojan Records”

The film Rudeboy: The Story Of Trojan Records is a tremendous slice into the history of reggae, which means it is a music history lesson of at least two islands: Jamaica and Britain. ... Continue Reading →

Van Morrison – On the Road Again, Mercurial and Remarkably Wonderful All At Once

Van Morrison in concert can be a difficult bet. Like other icons late in their career (Miles Davis, Bob Dylan), Morrison seems to ignore the audience. In San Diego last night, he was ... Continue Reading →