James Hunter: An Education from Van Morrison and Many More
Touring for years as Van Morrison’s back-up singer, James Hunter saw many explosive performances by the Irish musical legend. He tells me he learned more, though, from Morrison in just minutes in a recording studio as he and a host of musicians recorded his debut album …Believe What
The Lovely Songcraft of Annalisa Tornfelt
I'd probably embarass myself if I put down here how many times I've listened to the new solo album, The Number 8, from Portland roots songwriter Annalisa Tornfelt. It's become my go-to album for times of stress at work. I flip it on
The Rose of Roscrae - Tom Russell
You can buy The Rose of Roscrae via Frontera Records or the usual other places. I bought the bundle which came with a promo CD for radio and a detailed booklet/program/libretto but a music-only two disk version is also available.
I can’t remember where I first
Ray Wylie Hubbard's Memoir Has No Quit in It
I’m not the biggest fan of Ray Wylie Hubbard’s music. I mean, I’m a fan, just not the biggest. Therefore, when I tell you that his economical, cleverly structured memoir, A Life...Well, Lived (Bordello Records, 174 pages, with Thom Jurek editing), is among the most compelling
Runs in the Family
On "Far Away" – the first song on her self-titled 2005 debut – Martha Wainwright sings:
I have no children
I have no husband
I have no reason to be alive
Now, a decade later, Wainwright is a mother of two. Arcangelo (or Arc, as he’s often known)
Kendrick Lamar: Persona & Beyond
I’ve been listening to Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly since it came out earlier this year. After playing the CD three or four more times last week, I’m certain that this release will be somewhere in my top three for the year, and felt compelled to