Co-host @soundopinions. Former music critic at Chicago Tribune. Author of 7 books, including "I'll Take You There." Teaching music and democracy at U of C.
Joined March 2009
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James "Blood" Ulmer (RIP) was at the center of a guitar revolution in the '70s & beyond. His crucial roles with Ornette Coleman & Arthur Blythe brought blues, free jazz, No Wave into free-flowing conversation. Saw him do it real time at Tut's in 1982. His boldness will be missed.
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When an artist or band releases a stellar debut LP, the toughest task ahead of them is how to at least equal if not top it on the second go-round. On @soundopinions we select some of our favorite follow-up albums: bit.ly/4wUQCkL
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Greg Kot retweeted
May 31
#BOTW is served c/o @SimonBooks, @gregkot: 'I'll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, and the Music That Shaped the Civil Rights Era' (2014) ▶️ bit.ly/2EJFbkX Book of the Week #TakeAMoment #Felfedez Enjoy!
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We all have to start somewhere, and with jazz, & Sonny Rollins (RIP), it was "Newk's Time" (1959). I was drawn to it because it included a cover of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Surrey with the Fringe on Top," familiar to me because my parents loved Broadway tunes. Sonny's ... (1/2)
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...version includes fierce give & take with drummer Philly Joe Jones. Decades later Sonny headlined the Chicago Jazzfest & turned another show tune, Irving Berlin's "They Say It's Wonderful," upside down, once again drawing me in & taking me out. Thanks for the music, Newk. (2/2)
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“Life isn’t about finding yourself or finding anything. Life is about creating yourself & creating things.”
A few words on Bob Dylan at 85:
shorturl.at/tClKP
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A @soundopinions classic album dissection of the Violent Femmes' 1983 debut LP: bit.ly/4dFaik7
And a few words from me about how the Femmes broke out of one of the Midwest's coolest scenes (Milwaukee!): bit.ly/4fk0BtV
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Chicago's answer to Big Star and Alex Chilton was/is Green and Jeff Lescher. I explain why here:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…
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Farewell, Sam Sianis, the Greek immigrant whose Billy Goat tavern was a 2nd home for Chicago journos. When I was hired by the Trib, I felt like I'd arrived when I'd walk down the steps, made a right & was greeted by a cold PBR sliding my way from the end of the bar. Cheers, Sam.
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Lou Reed had high hopes for his music: "that 10 years from now you could still listen to one of my albums because it wasn’t just a party record, but something that would engage you emotionally, intellectually, if not spiritually, on the level that a novel can." Links in comments
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Our @soundopinions chat with Reed biographer Will Hermes:
bit.ly/4tyUTYw
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Ratboys continue their decade-long roll with new album "Singin’ to an Empty Chair." Singer-songwriter Julie Steiner lays out the band's story in the
@soundopinions interview (linked in comments).
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Our @soundopinions interview with the prolific billy woods:
bit.ly/48rvyIg
And a few words about what makes him an era-defining MC:
shorturl.at/yKyi7
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James Gadson (RIP) made records groove, starting with his classic drum breaks for Charles Wright & the 103rd Street Rhythm Band. Also an ace songwriter/singer. Kelly Hogan's brilliant "I Like to Keep Myself in Pain" LP has JG all over it. More spiel here: bit.ly/4tX07hc
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Long overdue....
"The judge will determine remedies in a separate proceeding. That could include divestments by Live Nation, or a breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster — an outcome that the federal govt had called for when filing its case two years ago."
shorturl.at/LhvSe
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New-ish songs that are living inside our heads at @soundopinions. Here's where to listen: bit.ly/4tA8BKS
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In celebration of Neil Young's 80-plus years on the planet, our journey through the past in 12 tracks we've chosen from his massive songbook. Link in comments.
@soundopinions
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