Phillip Glass

reviewed by Eric Weld

Originally published on July 1, 2001

It’s late on a Sunday night and Philip Glass is tired. It’s obvious from the way he digs at his eye sockets with thumb and forefinger and pushes a hand through his crop of curly hair. He lapses into an opaque gaze that freezes his eye movement and focuses on nothing. For a moment, he [...]

Rufus Wainwright

reviewed by Carey Potash

Originally published on May 1, 1999

If you’re not sure just how gifted singer/songwriter du jour Rufus Wainwright is, skip right to "Barcelona" off of his aspiring debut self-titled release. It says it all. Every once in a while a voice comes along that is so unique and special that it delights yet perplexes music reviewers because they have no one [...]

Back on Top

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on May 1, 1999

The theme this month is humor. So why an Irishman and a blues singer? Well, one is funny-looking, short, fat, and very pale…and blues singers have been the center of many comedy sketches on Saturday Night Live and In Living Color…? Okay, honestly, the thought of listening to “comedy albums” made me slightly queasy. Recently [...]

Hand Me Down My Moonshine

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on May 1, 1999

I always feel bogus reviewing the blues, as if my love for the musical form is inauthentic. Sort of like the guy that orders the most expensive bottle of wine even though the cheaper bottle is a better wine. On the other hand, there are critics that believe that Luther Allison is not authentic because [...]

Word of Mouth Parade

reviewed by Carey Dean Potash

Originally published on May 1, 1999

This sucks. No, not the CD. I like the CD. Call me old-fashioned, but whatever happened to emerging artists that no one ever heard of? Small-named artists like Gus on small-named labels like Almo. No one bought their records, no one heard their songs and life was good. Tonight I went clothes shopping in Abercrombie [...]

Baroque Music for Trumpets

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

The clarity of his playing is the most noticeable aspect of this CD. It is a showcase of his virtuosity, and the selections themselves are light and airy, very reminiscent of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons…

Yuaretê

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

The entire CD is touched with an otherworldly feel that somehow blends with the Latin rhythms. The beat can best be described as a soft tango and his voice as spiritual…

Absolute Torch and Twang

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

All the critical hype that surrounded this CD was earned. Listening to her voice with its range and control makes you think what a sad thing it is to have to endure Mariah Carey (Oscars) and Shania Twain (Grammys)…

Egyptology

reviewed by Carey Dean Potash

Originally published on April 1, 1999

With a set of songs that appears to be thirty years late, Wallinger curiously decides to end the record with “Always,” an upbeat pop trifle which is probably the closest to 1999 of the lot…

aja

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

Most people would go with Can’t Buy a Thrill, which is a damn fine piece of music making, but I have to go with aja…”