When I heard this record by jazz pianist, composer and singer Amina Claudine Meyers on the radio back in the early 80’s in NY,  I wrote down the title and went to Tower Records on Broadway and bought it.  It is not something I play often but I do come back to it when I want to hear what a real piano sounds like. The record has a spare, underproduced quality, Ms. Meyers can wail with the best of them, but her piano work is superb; she captures a sort of forgotten sound- of a big instrument being played at full tilt with majesty and power, but singing in a mournful voice. The vocals... Read More

Rory Gallagher is another legendary guitarist whose playing is recognized not just for his skill, but for his ability to play inside of the song: – no boring, self- indulgent solos, or mind-bending exercises of guitar wizardry, this guy was musical! The album, from his band Taste, captures one of many high points in Gallagher’s career. Songs range from beefy rockers, like “What’s Going On” to lilting folk ballads (“If the Day Was Any Longer”). The tunes stay with you; the musicianship is something you can go back to again and again and hear... Read More

This old ABC Dunhill compilation (look for the ‘children’s blocks’ logo on the label)  sounds great, gives you the hits from the first three albums; some copies even contain the Ravel Bolero passage (in the song ‘The Bomber’) that was excised from later pressings although it is not easy to tell whether it is included in a given copy based on the deadwax or other indicia.  Pretty low-rent album art that just adds to the gestalt.  Start your Harleys! ... Read More