After finishing his long-lost ‘Smile,' Beach Boys guru returns with a tribute to Los Angeles
McClatchy Newspapers
11/19/2008, by Jon Bream
Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (MCT) - Smiling liberated Brian Wilson. The act of completing his pop opus "Smile," 37 years after he'd abandoned it, suddenly reopened the creative floodgates for the reclusive Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and he wrote 18 songs in a month.
"I had a creative explosion a ...
Al Green is always touching up his work
McClatchy Newspapers
11/19/2008, by Walter Tunis
McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) - "Man, I wish the Derby was going on while I was there," said the Rev. Al Green of his upcoming performance in Kentucky. "We could go out and put some money on those horses. But seeing as I'm a preacher, I'd have to keep my bets to $2.50." Following such a modest ...
A rock ‘n' roll two-fer: Hold Steady and Drive-By Truckers hit the road together
McClatchy Newspapers
11/19/2008, by Chris Riemenschneider
Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (MCT) - Of all the storytelling rock 'n' roll frontmen out there, Craig Finn and Patterson Hood probably spend more time than anyone singing and talking about the bands they love. Finn's New York-based, Minneapolis-rooted quintet the Hold Steady has issued a flood of ...
Country music star Taylor Swift is on the fast track
McClatchy Newspapers
11/13/2008, by Jon Bream
Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (MCT) - As instructed, I removed my shoes before entering the tour bus. As I was introduced to Taylor Swift, I extended my hand in formal greeting, but instead country's hottest young star star pulled me into a enthusiastic embrace. At 18, Swift plays by her own rules. ...
Grupo Folklórico regroups three decades later
McClatchy Newspapers
11/5/2008, by Ed Morales
Newsday (MCT) - When you mention the name Grupo Folklorico y Experimental Nuevayorquino to hard-core Latin music fans, you're invoking treasured memories of the 1970s. It was a moment when some of New York's most talented musicians created a transcendent mix of the traditional and the modern. "A ...
Blue-eyed soul man Boz Scaggs is doing standards — and bluegrass — these days
McClatchy Newspapers
11/4/2008, by Jon Bream
Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (MCT) - Silky soul man Boz Scaggs has two outside projects: A bluegrass band (really!) and a jazz combo. After doing his "Lido Shuffle" R&B act this summer, Scaggs is focusing on standards on his current tour. "I'm not a jazz singer; I'm not a jazz musician," said Scaggs, ...
Jennifer Hudson often gives credit to family, Chicago roots for keeping her humble
McClatchy Newspapers
10/27/2008, by Mark Caro
Chicago Tribune (MCT) - Until Friday's tragic events, Jennifer Hudson's life had been both a fairy tale and a classic Chicago story. Kids dream about a rise like hers _ from South Side kid in the rough Englewood neighborhood to the widely embraced sixth runner-up on "American Idol" to the ...
‘Stay Awake' gets star-studded 20th anniversary revival
McClatchy Newspapers
10/13/2008, by Ben Wener
The Orange County Register (MCT) - I know it's a cliche to be stunned by the mere passing of time, but I still find it hard to believe it's been two decades since eccentric, visionary producer Hal Willner put together his dark, captivating, richly detailed Disney tribute "Stay Awake," perhaps ...
With ‘Honey,' life is sweet for Lucinda Williams
McClatchy Newspapers
10/13/2008, by Glenn Gamboa
Newsday (MCT) - Lucinda Williams isn't exactly sure what's going on, but she knows it's good. Night after night, she's watching her fans go crazy for her latest songs, even though the album "Little Honey" (Lost Highway) doesn't hit stores until Tuesday.
"I remember when I was playing the songs ...
With 40 years behind him, Taj Mahal has ‘tons more stuff to do'
McClatchy Newspapers
10/7/2008, by Nick Cristiano
The Philadelphia Inquirer (MCT) - He's celebrating four decades as a solo artist with a guest-studded new album and a tour, but 66-year-old Taj Mahal is not one to dwell on past accomplishments. "It's in progress and in motion," the gravelly-voiced roots-music master says over the phone from his ...
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