The glass bottom boat of the cultural press
This week Christopher Long channels John Hughes as he travels down Memory Lane, taking us on an eye-opening pre-high-school-graduation concert excursion in 1981. Along the way, he discovers a well-cared-for used LP copy of Three for Love, the 1980 R&B classic from Shalamar, for a buck.
Tommy Emmanuel and opener Gareth Pearson captivated Orlando with a stunning acoustic performance. Michelle Wilson has the full recap.
Eddie Van Halen was a gifted golden guitar god. His talent - immeasurable. His catalog of music - impeccable. And his legacy will live forever.
Rock publicist Howard Bloom dishes the dirt on the all the big names in entertainment with an insider’s eye for the absurd. Review by Carl F. Gauze.
A lip-syncing scandal pits an American singer against an Italian male model over the legacy of 1980s ‘Italo Disco’ star Den Harrow.
Doctor Demento Covered in Punk (Demented Punk Records). Review by Carl F Gauze.
Washed Out wash over Orlando and Jen Cray is swept away on the acid wave.
letlive. give a still healing Orlando, and Jen Cray , a reason to enjoy the night.
Travels (Hitchhike Records). Review by James Mann.
Janet Jackson is pop music royalty and proved it in Orlando. Jen Cray can’t believe she witnessed it!
It’s been 30 years since Purple Rain. Alan Light takes us back.
Gone Away Backward (Bloodshot Records). Review by James Mann.
New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys have joined forces to dominate the hearts of pop fans this summer. When the NKOTBSB Tour came through boy band capital of the world, Orlando, Jen Cray peeked in on the frenzy.
Ordinary Alien (Orchard/Decode ). Review by Carl F Gauze.
2011 Grammy Nominees (Columbia Records). Review by Tim Wardyn.
Bruno MacDonald aims for a paper wiki of rock history, showing the connections that casual fans might miss, in this interesting take on the history of rock ‘n’ roll.
It’s Better If You Don’t Understand (Elektra). Review by Robert Sutton.
Fela Kuti: Na Poi + Chop ‘N Quench (Knitting Factory). Review by Shelton Hull.
Does that sound like the Beatles to you? Author Kristofer Engelhardt delivers an updated version of his exhaustive 1998 guide, detailing the individual Beatles’ musical contributions to other artists’ recordings.
Rock the Bells kicked off its 2009 hip-hop festival tour in Chicago – just two days after Michael Jackson’s sudden death. Chris Catania took in this year’s finest while ruminating on the psychology of a crowd in mourning.
A.J. Croce celebrates the 50th anniversary of his father, Jim Croce’s, three ground breaking albums, with a nationwide tour of Croce Plays Croce.
High Above Harlesden 1978 - 2023 from On-U Sound collects 60 dub and reggae tracks from Creation Rebel, an astounding set of musicians.
Gerta O. Egy’s beautifully drawn fungi almost eclipse their fairyland habitats in her Mushroom Daydream Coloring Book.
One of the last of the classic wuxia swordplay films stands as a fitting coda to the grand period of the genre. Phil Bailey reviews a new Blu-ray release of the 1975 film The Valiant Ones.
The Complete Friends of Old-Time Music Concert (Smithsonian Folkways Records). Review by Bob Pomeroy.
Smash Mouth takes us back to The Brady Bunch circa 1973, with “Sunshine Day,” featuring Barry Williams, the original Greg Brady.
Not everyone can be excited by blocks spinning on a screen, but if you are, Ian Koss recommends you pay attention to Best of Five.
The final two films in the bonkers Hong Kong action comedy series The Inspector Wears Skirts hit Blu-ray from 88 Films.
A pair of early “girls with guns” action films from superstars Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock have arrived from 88 Films.