VOICES — an ongoing conversation on music that matters

Blues Of A Feather

in Pop & Rock

03 Feb 12 JOHN C. BRUENING

Maybe it's the convergence of old-school urban blues and neo-surf. Or maybe it's just the unusual combination of headgear that looks like a band of Mexican wrestlers raiding a Native American reservation. Whatever the case, the unlikely pairing of guitarist Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater and surf rockers Los Straitjackets makes 2003's Rock 'n' Roll City a fun, high-energy ride....  MORE

NewFound Road Large

They Still Are Giants

31 Jan 12 DAVID VIENNA on Concert Reviews

I caught one of the two L.A. sets by They Might Be Giants, who recently released Join Us, their first adult album in quite some time. The performance was part of their 30th anniversary tour. Sure, the audience offered a broader age spectrum, but the energy in the room made it hard to believe two decades had passed since I last saw them perform....  MORE

At Home With Phineas

29 Jan 12 ANNE FARNSWORTH on Collector's Corner

One of the unsung heroes of mid-century jazz piano is Phineas Newborn, Jr. Back Home, his trio date with Ray Brown and Elvin Jones, is among the best....  MORE