It’s good to have a reason to stop and stare at the sky. The moon has been putting in some serious work this week (at least over me in New England). “Harvest Moon” would be the obvious song to sing, but I’ve been subjecting my dogs on our evening walks to renditions of “Grapefruit Moon” … Continue reading Sunday Music: Grapefruit Moon
It’s such a simple looping phrase. But that’s what love is too, right? Simple. It might not be one of Nina Simone’s most complex or intricate performances, but it’s one of my favorites. Here’s “My Baby Just Cares For Me” (with a lovely 80’s claymation video too): https://youtu.be/eYSbUOoq4Vg
When you’re a PA kid and a bunch of home-state legends drop an album together - you pay attention. Way back in 2001, The Philadelphia Experiment dropped their one and only record. I just heard Christian McBride talk about it with Cory Wong and I had to throw it on for old time's sake. It's … Continue reading Sunday Music: Ain’t It The Truth
How we talk to ourselves, how we think of our purpose, why we think we do or do not belong - these are the heavy, weighty, and extraordinarily beautiful concepts Soul wrestles with. I don’t care if you don’t have little kids in your life. I don’t care if you’re “too old for cartoons.” I … Continue reading Sunday Music: Cause You’ve Got Soul, And Everybody Knows, And It’s All Right
There’s a sensitivity in the drawl of Valerie June’s voice that’s mesmerizing to me. Lots of people have unique voices, but few of them have the mastery over their instrument that she does. June’s got an ability to pull tones, sounds, and emotions out of songs that are unique to her. She’s got a new … Continue reading Sunday Music: “Call Me A Fool” By Valerie June
J Dilla’s classic, Welcome 2 Detroit, turns 20 this week. The reissue pulls out all of the stops with instrumentals, remixes, and even a book. The original songs are still well worth a revisit. Sure, there’s some dated sounding stuff, but this album is so full of vibe it still can melt a room. His … Continue reading Sunday Music: Maybe We Ought To Think Twice
Branford Marsalis, the legendary sax player, composer, and improviser, sat down with Questlove on the Questlove Supreme podcast for what has to be one of my favorite interviews of the year. They cover: the harm stubborn nostalgia can bring, how to approach challenging music (or ideas), the value of critics and how to handle them, … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Branford Marsalis On Life, Learning, And Pushing Boundaries
Ok, hear me out on this one - Coltrane knew how to Christmas. “Greensleeves” is a weird song to begin with, especially as an adapted Christmas song (also known as “What Child Is This?”). It’s minor, moody, and not exactly “behold, the light of the world” material. Still, there’s an almost haunting gorgeousness to its … Continue reading Christmas Music: Coltrane’s Greensleeves
Steve Jordan is a drummer’s drummer and a producer’s producer. There’s a good chance you’ve heard him without knowing it, from his work in late-night TV bands, to with Keith Richards, John Mayer, and Mix Master Mike. The job of a drummer and producer is mostly to keep things organized while making somebody else look … Continue reading Simplicity Is Not Stupidity: Lessons From Drummer/Producer Extraordinaire Steve Jordan
Charlie Parker would have been 100 this weekend. There was the music before his popularity, and then what happened after his influence was felt. He was only 34 when he died. Bebop, the style he’s famous for, was an expansion of jazz in the late 1930s/early 1940s. He took the phrasing, melodic, and harmonic ideas … Continue reading Sunday Music: Charlie Parker Centennial
