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Henry Carrigan

THE READING ROOM: Talking with Rick Hall: "The Man from Muscle Shoals"

THE READING ROOM: Talking with Rick Hall: "The Man from Muscle Shoals"

In late September 2013, Magnolia Pictures released the documentary Muscle Shoals, which was both a celebration of that recording studio’s funky, gritty soul sound and a glimpse into the life and times of its founder, Rick Hall. While the film was long on conversations with the musicians who recorded

Jerry Lawson Brings It Home

Jerry Lawson Brings It Home

Although 2015 is still young, Jerry Lawson’s new album Just a Mortal Man already wins the award for top soul album of the year. Having spent 40 years as the lead singer of the a capella group The Persuasions, having performed on the same bill as Joni Mitchell, Solomon

In Reverence of Lester Bangs

In Reverence of Lester Bangs

I'm focusing on Lester Bangs this week – one of our most trenchant, edgiest, provocative, often beguiling, cantankerous, unreasonable, off-kilter, and sometimes dead-wrong critics. Yet, rock writing and criticism died with Lester Bangs when he died in 1982. Look around you these days. When you go into a newsstand

Linda Ronstadt – Duets

Linda Ronstadt – Duets

Later this week, on Thursday, April 10, Glenn Frey of the Eagles will induct sultry songstress Linda Ronstadt into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Brooklyn's Barclay's Centre. For her fans, it's been a long time coming for Ronstadt, the songbird whose

Going on a Musical Journey with Leon Russell

Going on a Musical Journey with Leon Russell

Right from the opening notes on any Leon Russell song, you know you’re in for the ride of your life, and his new album, Life Journey, is no different. His unmistakable bluesy, barrel roll piano runs careen around the dirt roads of swampy jazz and funk, swerve around the

Love for Levon

It's very difficult to believe that one year ago today we lost one of the world's finest drummers, singers, and all around musicians, Levon Helm. Many of us grew up with his straight-ahead drumming and his punchy, gravel-throated voice; that voice, that voice still resonates in

Alvin Lee Goes Home

Alvin Lee Goes Home

Former Ten Years After frontman Alvin Lee died today (March 6, 2013), and the world is a lonelier place now. Among the great guitarists of the '60s and '70s, Lee accompanied his listeners on a colorful romp through the Elysian fields of blues, rock, jazz, and even country