By Doug Levine I had a chance to talk with Florida singer and guitarist JJ Grey, leader of his band Mofro. JJ describes his music as “swamp funk,” a style that might conjure up visions of cypress trees and alligators lurking in muddy waters. There’s no question, JJ Grey is a natural storyteller. His songs […]
Too Much, Too Soon?
Posted March 28th, 2013 at 3:05 pm (UTC+0)
By Ray McDonald Reviewing Justin Bieber’s list of recent woes, I keep coming back to one well-known saying: “Be careful what you wish for. It just may come true.” The former clean-cut teen idol is stumbling from one PR crisis to another: run-ins with paparazzi; sudden hospital visits; and most recently, a nasty episode with a […]
The Musician’s Life Can Be Taxing
Posted March 27th, 2013 at 2:34 pm (UTC+0)
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By Eric Felten Dionne Warwick, the multi-Grammy-winning artist who sold millions of records with hits such as “I Say a Little Prayer” and “Walk On By,” has filed for bankruptcy. She’s not only millions of dollars in debt, but almost all of it is owed to the government in taxes. According to Warwick publicist Kevin […]
End the Beguine
Posted March 22nd, 2013 at 10:13 pm (UTC+0)
by Eric Felten Ray McDonald notes the new entries from the world of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. Given how many classic recordings there are, no doubt one could argue over whether “Saturday Night Fever,” for instance, really belongs on the list. But permit me to quibble over a […]
Librarians for Rock and Roll
Posted March 22nd, 2013 at 8:54 pm (UTC+0)
By Ray McDonald James H. Billington, I salute you. Mr. Billington is the United States Librarian of Congress, and among his duties is the annual selection of 25 recordings for the National Recording Registry. Recognized for their cultural, artistic, and historic importance, they run the gamut from the earliest recorded sounds to magnificent musical achievements. […]
Jazz and Poetry
Posted March 22nd, 2013 at 4:29 pm (UTC+0)
Poets, in particular, have been drawn to jazz, looking to capture its sound and feel in their phrases
SXSW—My ears are still ringing!
Posted March 20th, 2013 at 2:28 pm (UTC+0)
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By Katherine Cole What a week it was in Austin! I didn’t keep track of all the shows I attended during SXSW 2013, but my unofficial tally is a hundred bands/singers heard between Tuesday March 12 and Sunday the 17th. Sounds like a lot, but it’s totally doable when you realize music starts when the […]
Theodore Roosevelt, Frank Lloyd Wright …Bob Dylan?
Posted March 19th, 2013 at 7:38 pm (UTC+0)
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By Doug Levine It’s another first for singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, who will become the first rock and roll artist inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Previously, Dylan was the first rock star to earn a nomination from the National Book Critics Circle for his memoir “Chronicles: Volume One,” and, in 2008, he […]
AJ Croce
Posted March 15th, 2013 at 11:19 pm (UTC+0)
By Katherine Cole Hello again from Austin. Day three of SXSW Music 2013 and I’m still running around like a crazy person. I’m getting over my disappointment at not winning the Prince ticket lottery, thanks to all the other great music at all other great music going on around town. (That’s not entirely true, but […]
Prince at SXSW; Dave Grohl’s Busy Week
Posted March 15th, 2013 at 4:29 pm (UTC+0)
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By Katherine Cole All the rumors are true—-Prince is making his South By Southwest debut Saturday night! The Purple One will be performing at what may end up as one of the most exclusive closing parties ever for the Austin, Texas event. He’ll be playing to a very intimate crowd of a few hundred contest […]
