The Legacy of Robbie Robertson
He didn’t do it alone, but the songs he wrote for The Band are classics.
Sep 28th, 2023
Bill Nighy Sings ‘The Rowan Tree’
His performance of centuries-old song gets to the heart of what music is.
Apr 12th, 2023
Burt Bacharach Was A Suave Throwback
The late composer, with lyricist Hal David, created so many timeless songs.
Mar 20th, 2023
The Many Great Songs of Barrett Strong
The composer who recently died wrote "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and so much more.
Feb 15th, 2023
The Tragic Talent of Tim Hardin
'Misty Roses' is happy sad classic by singer songwriter who died too young.
Jan 30th, 2023
The 66 Chapters of Bob Dylan
His new book, The Philosophy of Modern Song, is uneven, idiosyncratic and fascinating.
Dec 26th, 2022
Nina Simone’s Summer of Soul
So much great music in this documentary. And then there is Ms. Simone. Wow.
Nov 29th, 2022
The Crazed Genius of Jerry Lee Lewis
The one and only left behind some great songs including one that could be this city's anthem.
Nov 8th, 2022
The Peculiar Joys of Captain Beefheart
He’s not for everybody. And not like anyone else.
Oct 3rd, 2022
How Did Willie Nelson Ever Succeed?
The songwriting was always there, but oh, those early days as a performer.
Sep 23rd, 2022
‘The Glory Of Love’
Perfect for Valentine’s Day, awesome versions by Big Bill Broonzy and Otis Redding.
Feb 13th, 2022
Remembering Ronnie Spector And Rosa Lee Hawkins
Two greats from the girl groups of the 1960s.
Jan 21st, 2022
‘Get Back’ Is a Revelation
Peter Jackson's 8-hour documentary on the Beatles is a slow but powerful demonstration of what real artistry is about.
Dec 20th, 2021
Why Ringo Sang a Kenosha Song
“Loser’s Lounge” inspired by a Kenosha bar. Former Beatles' version is okay, but story behind it is better.
Apr 28th, 2021
“Bartender’s Blues” Is a Classic
A fine song written by James Taylor became a classic when sung by George Jones.
Apr 15th, 2021
Phoebe Snow Was A Rare Bird
Tragedy shortened her career but what she left behind is great.
Feb 28th, 2021
‘Hitler Lives’ Is One Timeless Song
A classic song of warning by Rosalie Allen and The Black River Riders.
Jan 22nd, 2021
Phil Spector Was a Killer
Convicted of murder, he was a troubled musical genius who transformed 1960s rock'n'roll and died of COVID-19.
Jan 20th, 2021
Christmas With The Roches
Their version of “Winter Wonderland,” with Brooklyn accents, is funny yet so seasonal.
Dec 24th, 2020
“America” Is Still Timely and Fun
The ultimate song about immigration, from ‘West Side Story’, is so smart and sassy.
Nov 26th, 2020
‘Yes We Can’ On Election Day
Allen Toussaint’s songful masterpiece calls us to the better angels of our nature.
Nov 2nd, 2020
Toots Hibbert, Johnny Nash and Reggae
Both have passed away, both helped bring a new kind of music to America.
Oct 21st, 2020
The Fantastic Negrito Is… Fantastic
“The Duffler” is just one of many great songs by this blazing talent.
Sep 23rd, 2020
Were The Coasters the Hippest Ever?
It doesn’t get any funnier than “Shopping for Clothes”.
Aug 24th, 2020
Woody Guthrie Meets Wilco and Billy Bragg
The song “Hoodoo Voodoo” is a surreal classic that captures the spirit of Woody.
Jul 29th, 2020
A Song For George Floyd
Newly written, by Tom Prasada-Rao, it’s a quietly powerful anthem for these times.
Jun 16th, 2020
The Incendiary Talent of Little Richard
An explosive rocker and cultural force, but also a great singer. RIP.
May 13th, 2020
The Greatest Rock Time Capsule Ever
NME Poll Winners Awards Show of 1965 captures the entire British Invasion.
May 7th, 2020
Remembering John Prine
What a singer and songwriter. No one else did what he did or even tried.
Apr 17th, 2020
Remembering Bill Withers
Was there ever a more genuine or less trendy singer?
Apr 10th, 2020
Lovin’ Spoonful To the Rescue
A sweetly relaxed classic, “Coconut Groove” is a palliative for painful times.
Mar 23rd, 2020
The Funky Fun of Little Feat
“Skin It Back” shows why so many musicians loved this band.
Mar 10th, 2020
The Amazing Legacy of Les Paul
Incredible innovator teamed with Mary Ford on songs like “The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise.”
Mar 3rd, 2020
Don’t Write off The Kingston Trio
Or lead singer Bob Shane, and his performance of “It Was A Very Good Year”.
Feb 7th, 2020
“Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog”
That and “Dusty Springfield” were two memorable songs by the late Norma Tanega.
Jan 30th, 2020
Two Great Country Songs
And the addictive fun of the ‘Cocaine & Rhinestones’ podcast.
Jan 20th, 2020
The Twisted Legacy of Neil Innes
We’ve lost the man who wrote many Monty Python songs and helped create The Rutles.
Jan 3rd, 2020
A Little Child Shall Lead Us
Viral online hit of Isaac et Nora performing a Yiddish song personifies the Christmas spirit.
Dec 24th, 2019
11 Great Christmas Songs
Greatest ever? Maybe. But guaranteed to banish all traces of Scrooge-iness
Dec 20th, 2019
Charles Manson Meets the Beach Boys
Both contributed to “Never Learn Not to Love.” Great song, but kind of creepy.
Dec 12th, 2019
Try Ernest Tubb for Thanksgiving
With a side of Loretta Lynn. “Thanks A Lot” should make any list of Top 10 songs of thanks.
Nov 28th, 2019
“I Blew Up The United States”
It’s 30 years old but this classic by Was Not Was could have been written yesterday.
Nov 22nd, 2019
“Pale Blue Eyes” Is a Classic
Whatever you think of Velvet Underground, the song is a masterpiece.
Oct 27th, 2019
The Big Voice of Brenda Lee
Her song, “I’m Sorry”, is one of the best pop vocals ever recorded.
Sep 27th, 2019
The Fragile Artistry of Daniel Johnston
Mental illness kept him in a private hell. Yet he created some beautiful songs.
Sep 18th, 2019
Roy Head Was a Great Spaz Dancer
And a hell of a singer, with a tight R&B band. “Treat Her Right” is a classic.
Aug 30th, 2019
Joni Mitchell Captured the Magic of Woodstock
Her song "Woodstock" embodies the spirit of the famous festival, despite her not performing at it.
Aug 9th, 2019
The Sheer Dazzle of Willie Dixon
The oh-so-underrated blues musician is crazy great on “If You're Mine.”
Jul 26th, 2019
The Quiet Seduction of Joao Gilberto
Remembering the sweet Bossa Nova of Gilberto, who didn’t need to play loud.
Jul 12th, 2019
Lesley, Dolly and Me Too
Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me’’ is an empowerment anthem, Parton’s “Jolene” is not. Both are great.
Jul 2nd, 2019
The Funky Legacy Of Dr. John
The genius has passed away, but songs like “Qualified” will never die.
Jun 14th, 2019
“We’ll Meet Again”
75 years after D-Day the song made famous by Vera Lynn still resonates.
Jun 7th, 2019
The Retro Cool of Leon Redbone
A specialist in “old weird America” has died, leaving a unique legacy.
May 31st, 2019
The Strange Life of Connie Converse
“How Sad, How Lovely” among the haunting songs by this lonely songwriter.
May 22nd, 2019
Three Incredibly Happy Songs
One you probably know well. The other two are wonderful oddities.
May 3rd, 2019
Ella Fitzgerald Makes Spring Come Alive
She turns "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most" into a seasonal classic.
Apr 19th, 2019
The Strange Career of Scott Walker
Remembering the baritone-voiced American who became a hit in England.
Apr 5th, 2019
Nina Simone for St. Patricks Day?
Her take on “Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair” is a haunting cultural crossover.
Mar 15th, 2019
The Heavenly Sound of Rosetta Tharpe
“Up Above My Head” is a classic. And this week’s Gospel Jubilee a must-see event.
Mar 5th, 2019
The Simple Integrity of Buck Owens
Even if you don’t like country, a great song like "Made In Japan" is hard not to admire.
Mar 4th, 2019
The Slowly Sublime “Hickory Wind”
Written by Gram Parsons, sung by Gilliam Welch. Unforgettable.
Feb 21st, 2019
The Curious Case of “I Fought The Law”
A Crickets song without Buddy Holly became hit for young singer who suffered grisly death.
Feb 7th, 2019
Remembering Clydie King
A wonderful back-up singer with Dylan and the Stones, she made everyone sound better.
Jan 25th, 2019
The Underrated Greatness of Ray Davies
Case in point: “Nothing In This World Can Stop Me Worryin’ ‘Bout That Girl”.
Jan 10th, 2019
“Ruby, Are You Mad?,” Love Song? Or?
Bobby Osborne's singing on this Bluegrass song looks and sounds like magic.
Dec 28th, 2018
A Christmas Song You Can Dance To
The Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping” is an ‘80s song that’s a ton of fun.
Dec 21st, 2018
Macy Gray, a New Christmas Favorite
Her version of “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” is a classic that will endure.
Dec 13th, 2018
The Sly Rhythmic Genius of Bo Diddley
Consider “Who Do You Love,” for instance.
Nov 30th, 2018
Let Us Give Thanks for Roger Miller
And for Paul Cebar, John Ziegler and Bob Reitman.
Nov 23rd, 2018
Why Pete Seeger Still Endures
“Waist Deep In The Big Muddy” shows the folly of obeying a “big fool” of a leader.
Nov 7th, 2018
Emmylou Harris’ Classic “Making Believe”
It’s great country music, from a time when that was less of an exception.
Oct 29th, 2018
Yes, Paul McCartney Is Great
And nothing shows his range better than “Eleanor Rigby”
Oct 11th, 2018
“Send In The Clowns”
Suddenly a topical song for our political era, and never better sung than by Judy Collins.
Aug 15th, 2018
Sly’s “Stand” Is a Great Call to Arms
Innovative song might be just what certain politicians need to get some courage.
Aug 3rd, 2018
The Sad Happiness Of John Lennon
“It’s Only Love” works on every level. But Lennon didn’t like it.
Jul 16th, 2018
Eddie Hinton’s Hard Luck Life
His song “Hard Luck Guy” is like the reincarnation of Otis Redding.
Jul 6th, 2018
The Unique Sound of the Staple Singers
And why you should attend the Gospel Jubilee at Turner Hall.
Feb 1st, 2018
City Goes Crazy for Stevie Wonder
Fantastic Turner Hall show celebrated an all-time great album.
Apr 21st, 2017
The Sheer Joy of Stevie Wonder
He’s the funkiest synth player ever, as the sublime “I Wish” makes clear.
Nov 25th, 2016
How Shonn Hinton Made Good
The Milwaukee guitarist, who performs with the band at Friday’s Gospel Jubilee, now plays with top national acts.
Feb 19th, 2015
“He Hit Me And It Felt Like Kiss”
The 1962 Carole King song performed by the Crystals still provokes controversy today.
Aug 1st, 2014
Ten Monster Riffs
It started with the blues and then the Brits took over. Ten of the most influential riffs ever written.
Jun 19th, 2014
The Greatness of Gospel Music
A veteran rock musician explains why he helped organize Friday night’s gospel showcase -- and why you shouldn’t miss it.
Feb 18th, 2014
