Music Reviews
The death of Whitney Houston
By Hiram Lee, February 13, 2012
American popular singer Whitney Houston has died in Los Angeles at the age of 48.
Composer Gustav Mahler: A centennial appreciation
By Dorian Griscom, January 31, 2012
Gustav Mahler is among the most widely listened to of classical composers. Last year, which marked the 100th anniversary of his death, witnessed concerts, new recordings, lectures and exhibitions celebrating his life and music.
“Sing like your life depends on it”: Etta James—1938-2012
By Paul Bond, January 26, 2012
Etta James had an instantly recognisable voice, sinuous, tender and harsh in equal measure. She died a few days short of her 74th birthday.
Johnny Otis, R&B’s renaissance man, dies at 90
By Hiram Lee, January 24, 2012
Influential R&B musician Johnny Otis, best-known for the hit dance record “Willie and the Hand Jive” died January 17 at the age of 90.
A look at 3 Cohens’ Family album
By Hiram Lee, January 20, 2012
Jazz group 3 Cohens have returned with Family, the third album to feature this ensemble of sibling musicians since their debut in 2004.
Blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin (1931-2011): “Feel the soul and the pain”
By Paul Bond, January 5, 2012
The longtime sideman for Chicago blues great Howlin’ Wolf, Hubert Sumlin, died last month at the age of 80.
Pop and rock music in 2011
By Matthew Brennan and Hiram Lee, December 31, 2011
The past year produced few meaningful efforts in the field of pop and rock music. Only a handful of works stand out.
Favorite jazz recordings of 2011
By Hiram Lee, December 31, 2011
Some of the more interesting jazz albums of 2011.
Jazz drummer Paul Motian (1931-2011)
By Hiram Lee, December 28, 2011
Jazz drummer Paul Motian, a member of the classic Bill Evans Trio of the early 1960s, died recently at the age of 80.
Bad as Me—a new album from Tom Waits
By Hiram Lee, December 7, 2011
American singer-songwriter Tom Waits has returned with his first album of new material since 2004’s Real Gone.
Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers—reconsidering a hip hop “classic”
By Nikolai Barrickman, September 20, 2011
Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album, widely considered a hip hop classic, is a landmark in both the development and the decline of the genre.
Gene McDaniels, soul singer and songwriter, dead at 76
By Hiram Lee, August 30, 2011
Soul singer and songwriter Gene McDaniels, composer of “Compared to What” and other protest songs, died July 29 at the age of 76.
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