There’s more to Albert King than “Born Under a Bad Sign”, though that’s the song that has been covered by everyone from Cream to Homer Simpson. If you like your blues with a groove, try the album King of the Blues Guitar.
Well, be-bop-a-lula, do you like rockabilly? Rockabilly is where country music meets rock ‘n roll. It was popularized in the 1950s by such legends as Bill Haley, Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, and Elvis Presley – and it sure isn’t dead!
Click here for contemporary and classic rockabilly music that will get you wailin’ and wigglin’.
Due to Jeff Buckley’s untimely death in 1997, we are only left with one complete studio album. Grace gives a sense of the great potential in Buckley’s vocal, guitar, and songwriting abilities. Songs range from sweet vocal melodies to hard guitar-riffing rock that will leave you craving more.
Punk rockers aren’t exactly known for responsible life decisions. You know the drill – live fast, die young. The Other F Word examines what happens when subculture rock stars have to readjust their raucous lifestyles as they become parents. Lars Frederiksen of Rancid, Tim McIlrath of Rise Against, Fat Mike of NOFX, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, famed skateboarder Tony Hawk, and many others are interviewed in a documentary that is profanity-laden, but heartfelt. For most of the men, punk rock became a surrogate family, something to take the place of bad or nonexistent parents. These men are now charged with being the parents they wish they had, without losing themselves in the process.
Neil Diamond’s forty years in music have given us many memorable tunes. The legendary singer-songwriter was one of the Kennedy’s Center’s 2012 honorees, and in 2011 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Any of his CDs will get you humming all day long.
Big hair, unisex blush, spandex, fringe, and studded jean jackets all have something in common – they were the uniform of mega-awesome, 1980s metal bands. When you crank Monsters of Rock, you can almost see the heavy metal parking lot appear before you. Songs like Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and The Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Huricane” rev you up. Then, if you need to slow it down, Monster Ballads has your number. Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Mr. Big’s “To Be With You,” and Whitesnake’s “Is This Love” will power ballad you into glam rock bliss.
William Miller just got his big break writing a cover story for Rolling Stone. Lester Bangs warns William not to make friends with the band, but William does and that’s when everything goes to heck. Almost Famous is a rock and roll coming of age story all music lovers should see.
Remakes seem to be the norm of late, rather than the exception. To be successful, they need to bring something new to the story, and that is certainly the case with the Broadway production of Once: A New Musical. Staying true to the original, but playing with instrumentals and a cappella performances, the 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Musical (and in seven other categories, too!), enchants with beautiful stringwork and Steve Kazee’s especially soulful performance as The Guy. Since the actors also serve as the band, the collaborative effort rings with authenticity, and the international influences are enhanced. Fall slowly in love all over again with the original Broadway cast recording of Once: A New Musical.
Thomas Jefferson once said, “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.” Artists and writers have long since agreed, using Paris as an inspiration point and gathering place (as demonstrated in Midnight in Paris).
Click here for books, movies, and music that focus on life in the City of Lights.
To call the Alabama Shakes a throwback band isn’t doing them justice, but there is a nostalgic, culturally deep feel to their female-fronted debut, Boys and Girls. Brittany Howard is the main vocal force over a combination of blues rock and Memphis soul. Simple, honest lyrics become epic and heart-twisting with Howard at the helm. It’s no wonder that the Alabama Shakes have gained the attention of NPR, Jack White, and major record labels in less than a year of hawking their EP on the indie circuit. If you’re looking for the perfect summer block party album, Boys and Girls is it.
