By Myles Ludwig The annual list of best and worst seems lame. I prefer a listicle of the Liked, UnLiked, ReLiked, Archived, Deleted, Spammed and Trashed. It seems more appropriate. As the pope noted, who am I to judge? But if not me, then who? Liked Edward Snowden Pope Francis Claire Danes Don Jon and Barbara Sugarman Michelle Obama Justin Timberlake Kate … [Read more...]
Sundays: The United States of Snoop
By Myles Ludwig Your life is just a click away, just a click away: “Every breath you take/Every move you make/Every bond you break/Every step you take/I'll be watching you/Every word you say/Every single day … I’ll be watching you.” Sting was prophetic. Even Paul McCartney knew what was going on: “She came in through the bathroom window … Didn’t anybody tell her? / Didn’t … [Read more...]
At 70, jazz icon Dr. Lonnie Smith gets a fresh start
Read it here first: 70-year-old Hammond organ icon Dr. Lonnie Smith has just released his first-ever CD in 2012, the burning live trio set The Healer. Sure, the turban-topped keyboardist started recording under his own name with the 1967 gem Finger-Lickin’ Good while he simultaneously cut tracks with guitarist George Benson (for his banner releases It’s Uptown and The George … [Read more...]
Saxophonist Mintzer finds new inspiration in organ, drums
Veteran jazz saxophonist Bob Mintzer didn't have to look far to find inspiration for the title of his latest CD, Canyon Cove. The disc is named for the street his house sits on in Hollywood, Calif., and which also happens to be the former residence of classical composer Arnold Schoenberg. “He's probably rolling over in his grave because a jazz musician is living in his house," … [Read more...]