oconnor band featured

You Can Go Home Again

MARK O'CONNOR. predictably unpredictable, returns as a member of a splendid roots band featuring his wife MAGGIE, his son FORREST and his son's fiancee, KATE LEE. It's a loving family affair.
by David McGee
 

 
 
al basile midcentury featured

The Philosopher Ascendant

AL BASILE brings his voice, his cornet and his songwriting skills to bear most impressively on a new album that speaks to respect for those who came before even as it addresses contemporary issues.
by David McGee
 

 

 
stellar shrapnel featured

Investigating Stellar Shrapnel

Thousands of years ago, 160 light years away from Earth, a star exploded, scattering stellar shrapnel across the sky. The Hubble Space Telescope recently found evidence of the event.
by David McGee
 

 
 
paul1 spotlight

Paulie, Au Courant, Defying Time and Tide

Pure Paul McCartney, au courant, defying time and tide, towering over whomever would challenge his grandeur. Celebrate him now. David McGee reviews Paulie's self-curated 4-CD solo overview. Exit breathless.
by David McGee
 

 

 
ernie wartts wheel1

Of Heart, Soul & the Collaborative Dance

The collaborative art of heart and soul via solid new albums by the ERNIE WATTS QUARTET and the combo led by LAFAYETTE HARRIS JR. with guest legend HOUSTON PERSON on tenor sax.
by David McGee
 

 
 
ecstasy cover

ECSTASY (1933)

ECSTASY, the film that made teen Hedy Kiesler notorious before she was HEDY LAMARR and inventing cell phone technology, plus an essential 1933 cartoon, MICKEY'S GALA PREMIER
by David McGee
 

 

 
hum about mine ears 260x152 1470925733

Shakespeare, In Concept

CLARA SANABRAS has adapted SHAKESPEARE'S 'THE TEMPEST' into an operatic production and, now, a concept album with Britten Sinfonia and others. It's a beauty. ROBERT HUGILL reviews.
by David McGee
 

 
 
newport featured

Patti Smith’s Lightning Amid New Voices (Newport Sampler, 2016)

PATTI SMITH, an unadvertised KRIS KRISTOFFERSON and JOE ELY were some of the stalwart names at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival, but IRA MAYER found some new voices coming on strong too.
by David McGee
 

 

 
doyle lawson burden 260x152 1470925522

Traveling Upwards to That Glorious Place

DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER rejoice all the way through BURDEN BEARER, bluegrass gospel delivered with conviction and authority, with and without instruments.
by David McGee