I revisited the “Turnstiles” album by Billy Joel today. It was the first time I’ve given the record a spin in at least a decade and it fit me like a glove. I often marvel at how music has the power to bring you right back to what you were doing when you first experienced […]
Encore Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Voice Poetry” by Ornette Coleman
Back in 1978, Ornette Coleman formed his first double trio, “Prime Time,” and began releasing records on his own Texas-based record label called Artist House Records. “Body Meta” was recorded in 1976 and featured Jamaaladeen Tacuma on bass, Charles Ellerbee and Bern Nix on guitars, and Ronald Shannon Jackson and his son Denardo Coleman on […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Tried And True” by Ween
I recently discovered a two-CD download of “Caesar” demos for Ween’s eighth album, “Quebec,” that was released by Mickey Melchiondo (aka Dean Ween) on his facebook page a few years ago. “Caesar” was the original title for “Quebec,” and the demos were recorded while drummer Claude Coleman was recuperating after his near fatal car accident […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Reincarnation Of A Lovebird” by Charles Mingus
You can almost see the flight of the bird in question during the introduction of this masterwork by bassist Charles Mingus. However, this bird is actually Charlie Parker, with whom Mingus performed on many occasions and to whom this song is dedicated. In Mingus’ own words: “I wouldn’t say I set out to write a […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Psalm” by Roxy Music
By the time of Roxy Music’s third album, “Stranded” in 1973, Brian Eno had left the fold and gone were the atmospheric synthesizer rushes as well as the overall experimental progressive nature of the band. It was replaced with a more straightforward, art-rocking glam-tastic sound with Bryan Ferry at its center. Eno’s replacement was Eddie […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Silver Train” by The Rolling Stones
“Goats Head Soup” is one of the most maligned albums in the Rolling Stones’ catalog, and I’ve never really understood why. Certainly, its proximity as the follow up to the mighty “Exile On Main Street” has something to do with it, however “Exile” was not well received upon its release either. But while “Exile” has […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Evil Ways from Woodstock” by Santana
This weekend we are celebrating the 43rd anniversary of “An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music” which took place August 15-18th 1969 on Max Yasgur’s farm. While most people are familiar with Santana’s blazing performance of “Soul Sacrifice” that appeared in the movie and single handedly established the group to the American public, […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “I Just Can’t Help Believing” by Elvis Presley
Everybody has a favorite version of Elvis: the hip-swivellin’ 1950s hep-cat, the swarmy good ‘ol boy of his many second rate films, the leather-clad comeback kid of 1968, the sequined-suited star of Vegas, and, sadly, the fat bloated disaster of the late ‘70s before he met his maker, 35 years ago today. My particular favorite […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “The Advent Of Panurge” by Gentle Giant
If the ranking of groups within the pantheon of progressive rock were based solely on musical inventiveness and chops, Gentle Giant would stand taller than Yes, Genesis, King Crimson and all of the rest. Case in point is the lead-off track from their 1972 magnum opus, “Octopus.” Its madrigal-inspired vocals and progressive jazz leanings typify […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – Selections from “Popshopping Volume 1” by Various Artists
“Popshopping” is a compilation of German TV commercial production music from the 1960s and 1970s. Compilation producers Sir D’Oeuvre and Senor 45 collected these tracks from flexi discs and dusty TV production tape vaults. Many may consider this music nothing more than a bunch of blaring, dated commercials, to others (including me), this is highly […]
