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 →

Abbey Road – It Was Fifty Years Ago Today

The 2019 Remaster doesn’t mess much with success. For many of us, The Beatles final foray in the studio has been imprinted in our DNA. But the magnificent treatment with this reissue ... Continue Reading →