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Album Reviews
Straight Ahead Continues Making Records "The Old Fashioned Way."
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 03, 2006  |  0 comments

True to the label’s intentions and name, Zane Musa is a muscular-toned, “straight ahead” alto sax bopper, accompanied on this superb sounding disc by like-minded Southern California jazz musicians on a set of well worn but always comfortable jazz standards.

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Album Reviews
T-Bone Burnett Produces A Supple New Backdrop For Ms.Wilson's Sly Pleasure Seeking
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 01, 2006  |  0 comments

Whether covering Robert Johnson, Joni Mitchell, Hank Williams or The Monkees (Boyce and Hart), Cassandra Wilson’s sultry, commanding voice has always worked effectively set against spare, moody backdrops.

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Album Reviews
Spirit's Debut Is a "Stairway To Heaven"
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 01, 2006  |  0 comments

Spirit’s 1971 release The 12 Dreams of Doctor Sardonicus (Epic E30267) may be the best Spirit album, and one of the finest albums of the psychedelic and post-psychedelic era, but this, the band’s debut, recorded in 1967, falls not far behind and holds up remarkably well for many reasons.

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Album Reviews
Throw Out Those Bootlegs! Coltrane Quartet's Half Note Performances From Original Tapes
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 01, 2006  |  0 comments

Never mind that the tape has some occasional serious dropout, never mind that the legendary performance of the title track “One Down, One Up” commences mid way through the tune during a Jimmy Garrison bass solo, never mind that these performances are station dubs from live radio broadcasts, never mind Alan Grant’s radio announcements sprinkled throughout, and never mind that this treasure trove is probably not in the same league historically as the Thelonious Monk/John Coltrane Carnegie Hall concert unearthed at the National Archives and issued by Mosaic on vinyl recently (MQ1-231).

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Album Reviews
Fagen's Third Solo Effort Cuts Deep Grooves
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 01, 2006  |  1 comments

At first, the lingering melodies and stick-to-the-synapses catch phrases don’t seem to reach out and grab you like they do on older Steely Dan albums, but the grooves are deeper and more elastic here than ever and Fagen’s arranging abilities remain crisp, inventive and instantly recognizable even if you don’t take time out to analyze what’s going on to make them seem so familiar.

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Album Reviews
Green Day Tweaks Bush: Different Reaction Than Dixie Chicks Got!
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 01, 2006  |  0 comments

This most popular of Green Day albums, a swell kiss off to Bush and his rogue administration is now so old it’s grown whiskers, but it hasn’t lost any of its punch. In fact, cut to wax it intensifies into a category five musical and political hurricane.

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Album Reviews
Black Reissue Retains Its Musical and Sonic Beauty On This Pure Pleasure Reissue
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 01, 2006  |  0 comments

The Irish folk/pop singer Mary Black, a genuine superstar at home, has built a worldwide following on the strength of her mesmerizing, crystal clear voice and an uncanny ability to wring every drop of meaning from the lyrics she interprets.

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News
Michael Fremer Makes the Cover of TONE Magazine
Michael Fremer  |  Jun 12, 2006  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  0 comments

Musicangle editor drops trou!

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Cartridge Reviews
Lyra Parnassus D.C.t phono cartridge
Michael Fremer  |  Jun 11, 2006  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  0 comments
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Album Reviews
Denser and Occaisonally More Conficted, Yet Remaining Majestic
Michael Fremer  |  Jun 01, 2006  |  0 comments

The latest Sigur Rós album is yet another soundtrack to an imaginary movie you’re asked to create in your own head. The swelling orchestral resolves mostly corral you into thinking goodness and heavenly inspiration with singer "Jonsi"’s high pitched child-like (and sometimes cat-like) vocals sung either in a language of his invention and on some tracks for the first time actual Icelandic, making it easier for your personal invention as you’ll have no idea what he singing about. Not that it matters. The group’s music wears its mostly uplifting emotional heart on its sleeves.

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