By Brian Arsenault Has always seemed to me that George Harrison had the most interesting post Beatles artistic career of the Fab Four. John, who was taken from us way too young, had drifted into his particular brand of social commentary mixed with Yoko’s avant garde silliness. But what the heck, he loved her. Still,… Read More Brian Arsenualt Takes On: ” I . Me . Mine ” George Harrison
By Don Heckman It was a real pleasure to return to Vitello’s Saturday night, after spending more than a year in Oregon, away from one of our favorite music rooms. Since our return, the E Spot Lounge is a considerably remodeled version of the original venue. But no problem there. Although the stage has been… Read More Notes From the Left Coast: Judy Wexler at Vitello’s E Spot Lounge
By Ella Leya (iRoM’s European Correspondent) London, Engand. Both names illuminated Eventim Apollo, formerly the Hammersmith Apollo, one of the UK’s largest and best-preserved original Art Deco theaters – a venue that played host to many legendary acts of the past – The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley. As well as to Steven Demetre… Read More Live Music: YUSUF or CAT STEVENS? at London’s Eventim Apollo
By Mike Finkelstein Hollywood, CA. On Sunday night the first annual George (Harrison) Fest went into the books at the Fonda Theater. There was so much interest in this show, a benefit for the Sweet Relief charity for needy musicians, that it was moved from the El Rey Theater to the larger Fonda Theater. The… Read More Live Music: The George Fest 2014 at the Fonda Theater
By Don Heckman Northridge, CA. Memories galore resonated through the architecturally grand, acoustically captivating Valley Performing Arts Center on the campus of CalState Northridge Saturday night. Memories, that is, of an era dominated by the Beatles. The performance, by the Fab Faux, was yet another display of the Center’s growing presence as the creative center… Read More Live Music: The Fab Faux at the Valley Performing Arts Center
By Brick Wahl Heard several tracks in progress from Charmaine Clamor’s new recording recently. Quite a selection of tunes – none of the usual jazz standards at all. Instead there’s a remarkable take on “Imagine” (a tune that rarely survives covering) propelled by some really striking rhythmic piano by Laurence Hobgood. There’s a surprising ”O Shenandoah,” a… Read More Brick Wahl Keeping It Real: Checking Out Charmaine Clamor’s New CD
Of West Coast Girls By Brian Arsenault The Left Coast is not taken seriously enough by the New York centric jazz “world” as a producer of any jazz, but maybe particularly female jazz singers. Of course, Queen Bentyne is based there now but she’s late of Manhattan Transfer so the East Coast still claims her.… Read More Record Rack: Lyn Stanley, Lisa Engelken
In Dreams The Last Concert 25th Anniversary Edition (Legacy) By Brian Arsenault There was a time – about when the British Invasion occurred and for some years thereafter — when Roy Orbison had faded from America’s musical consciousness. He hadn’t had a hit for a while after a seemingly unending stream of them in the… Read More CD Review: Roy Orbison
Review by Michael Katz Photos by Bonnie Perkinson Hollywood CA. One happy problem with an eight hour music fest that runs uninterrupted through the shifting temperatures of a near-summer’s day at the Hollywood Bowl is a lineup so strong you don’t want to leave your seat. That was the occasion on Saturday, Day 1 of… Read More Live Jazz: The 35th Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Day #1
By Mike Finkelstein Last weekend at Royce Hall, CAP UCLA presented another intriguing show, as Robert Randolph and the Slide Brothers delivered a unique clinic on how to make a musical point with a steel guitar. I’m not sure how many of us knew that the Slide Brothers use four or five non-identical steel guitars… Read More Live Music: Robert Randolph and the Slide Brothers at Royce Hall
The International Review of Music 