When 3.2’s “Third Impression” was completed last year, Robert Berry’s feelings were bittersweet. On the one hand, he was excited to share his latest project with the world. On the other, he knew that there was no more Keith Emerson material to draw from and that the 32-year story of their collaboration had reached its … Continue reading Robert Berry leaves a lasting ‘Third Impression’ on 3’s legacy
Being a music journalist is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. Since 2009, that somebody has been me, but the demoralizing state of discourse in 2021 has me questioning whether or not there is any value in continuing. People say they want the truth, but what they really want is to be … Continue reading Collective Chemistry: Rising LA trio LEVARA set to drop self-titled debut on May 14
As someone whose adolescence was defined by a nagging sense of having been born in the wrong time, hearing the title track to Arielle’s ninth studio album, “Analog Girl In a Digital World,” and then speaking with her for the first time felt as if I had discovered a kindred spirit. She had an affinity … Continue reading Analog Girl In a Digital World: A Conversation with Songwriter/Guitarist Arielle
Plato once wrote that “music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” For Tracy Bonham, the opportunity to vivify the souls of children through music comes 25 years after she bared her own on her searing 1996 debut … Continue reading Music and Mindfulness: A Conversation with Tracy Bonham
Steve Lukather went through hell in recent years trying to keep the soul of Toto alive, but he refused to let an unfortunate legal entanglement bring him down. As the title of his new album (out Feb. 26) suggests, he found the sun again and crafted yet another album showcasing his versatility as a musician … Continue reading Legendary musician Steve Lukather has found the sun again
If you’re a fan of the blues, you owe it to yourself to get acquainted with the work of Israeli guitar slinger Andy Watts. He’s performed with legends such as Johnny Winter, Joe Louis Walker, and Kenny Neal while simultaneously carrying the torch for a music scene in Tel Aviv that has proven to be … Continue reading Greetings from Tel Aviv: A Conversation with Blues Guitar Slinger Andy Watts
Before Netflix released “Pieces of a Woman” earlier this month, the idea that the film’s impact would be stultified by the latest allegations of abuse against Shia LaBeouf was already being floated about by publications that should know better than to dignify the hive’s inability to separate the art from the artist. But that’s where … Continue reading The Cosby Conundrum
317 days have passed since I last went to a concert. I haven’t experienced a drought this extensive since I was 13 and that number could easily double by the time our local stages are open for business again. While nothing can ever replace the spine-tingling sensation of actually being there, I’ve assembled a list … Continue reading It’s as if you were there: 10 Essential Live Albums
Normally around this time, I would be mining through a year’s worth of concerts in search of what I consider to be the purest gems of the bunch, but, instead, I’m peering out the window at a minacious sky that is emblematic of just how unforgiving 2020 has been. Western New York had shows with … Continue reading The Year the Earth Stood Still: A to Z of 2020
Winter Break is upon us and, if your family is anything like ours, things can get dicey whenever everyone sits down to watch a movie at the same time. A unanimous selection seldom occurs and one person or more usually choose bed rather than continue to stump for their candidate long into the night. At … Continue reading The Great Pixar Debate
