I love Janis Ian. She’s a great songwriter, a terrific performer and this record, which contained the hit “At Seventeen” put her on the map. I had the opportunity to see her perform in 1975, the year the album Between the Lines was released. Though hard-pressed to remember what I did last week, let alone details of a concert that occurred 40 years ago, I recall being spellbound at the time. This record brings that kind of magic to you via the medium of vinyl. For that reason, it also remains an “audiophile” demonstration disc that is still used as a reference by gear... Read More

  Any album that starts with a track entitled “I Don’t Like You” is bound to be interesting. This is a collectible piece of early blues-pysch from Cincinnati, featuring the talents of the Goshorn brothers. If you didn’t know that Larry Goshorn went on to Pure Prairie League, you might not hear the slight twang in his playing. Overall, the “‘Shroom” sounds more like a rust-belt version of The Cream. It’s a cool record, and as far as I know, a one and done for this band. It was originally released on the Parallax label, which was distributed by the (old) Audio Fidelity.... Read More

  This record, mixing bluegrass with jazz, is a revelation. It features Norman Blake, Dave Holland, Vassar Clements and a cast of other virtuosos. The track “Sauerkraut ‘N Solar Energy” is a high energy landmark of superb musicianship -the tempo whips the musicians into a frenzy –and playing flat-out, not a note is misplaced. It’s an absolutely stunning display of artistry. Given the renewed interest in “Americana” and roots music, I’m surprised this record hasn’t been rediscovered, though it was an audiophile favorite back in the day.   The album was... Read More