You can’t call it a comeback; you can’t really call it a revival. What you can call it is a lost album that mostly lives up to its reputation, with moments of true brilliance like the title track and “Here With Me”. If you’re dead-set in your opinion on Chicago, grab this and listen to this. …
Unfortunately for Night Ranger, they’re one of those acts that engender slight embarrassment when you say you like them. I know that I feel that way when I admit it. All of the red faces can be broken down to two words: “Sister Christian”. …
Xanadu on Broadway - The Original Broadway Cast Recording
PS Classics (1/8/08)
Broadway
Available at Amazon.com
Oh, is this one going to require an explanation. Fortunately for you, I was there for all of it. And, yes, I remember it well. So grab a seat, a refreshing beverage made by PepsiCo, and some popcorn. This [...]
Ramones - It’s Alive 1974-1996
Rhino Records (10/2/07)
Unrated
262 minutes
This review is dedicated to the late Linda Stein. Without the efforts of her and her husband, the CBGBs scene might have remained in the Bowery. Let’s all hope that the cops catch whoever did this.
Why, yes, indeedy, I saw the Ramones live—it was in 1991 [...]
Chicago - The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition
Rhino Records (10/2/07)
Classic rock / Anniversary Cash-In
Okay, so the math is simple. Get the guy from Chicago who only listens to oldies and classic rock stations to review a Greatest Hits Anniversary Collection from the band named after his hometown, who he undoubtedly grew up listening [...]
John Fogerty - Revival
Concord/Fantasy (10/2/07)
Rock
A great many of the younger contingent are currently foaming at the mouth at the actions of the RIAA in court. That recent six-figure judgment stirred up the bile even more. However, you’re not seeing such dramatic reaction from the older set like me. There’s a simple reason [...]
Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (40th Anniversary Edition)
EMI/Capitol (9/4/07)
Psychedelia / Classic rock / Anniversary Cash-In
Like James Agee and Walter Evans, I praise famous men. Actually, I tend to praise men who should be more famous than they are; people you may have heard of but haven’t heard much about. [...]
The Traveling Wilburys - The Traveling Wilburys Collection
Wilbury/Rhino (6/12/2007)
Rock
Available at Amazon.com
In the English language, there are a number of ten-letter obscenities. Lenny Bruce was hauled into court for using one of the more popular ones on one of his many obscenity busts. But it took the music industry to create a new one, [...]
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon
By Crystal Zevon
Ecco/HarperCollins (5/1/07)
ISBN 0-060763-45-9
480 pages
Available at Amazon.com
This review came about for a rather peculiar reason. I was essentially dared into it. Let me explain…
One Friday evening, I was headed home from the day job with barely enough time to [...]
Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer
By Chris Salewicz
Faber & Faber (5/15/07)
ISBN 0-571211-78-X
640 pages
Available At Amazon.com
The question still rings out like a challenge and accusation across three decades: “Where were you in ‘77?” If you worked for one of the three major British weekly music papers, the answer to that is simple: [...]