Music Reviews

by John Baccigaluppi

 |  No. 70

: The Empyrean

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

When I interviewed John and his engineer Ryan Hewitt for Tape Op #61 in February of 2007, they were in the middle of making this record. Between John's touring with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and...

 |  No. 70

: To Be Still

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi, Larry Crane

I grew up near a magical town in the foothills of California called Nevada City. Back when I was in high school we'd see Jonathan Richman walking down the street or Gary Snyder reading his poetry, and...

 |  No. 70

: The Safecracker

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

Since we last talked to Scott Bomar for Tape Op 44 he's done the soundtracks for the movies Hustle and Flow and Black Snake Moan as well as opening up his Electraphonic Recording Studios in Memphis....

 |  No. 69

: Frankie Ray

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

Hey Larry did I ever play you Jonathan Wilson's album, Frankie Ray? It's one of my favorite albums that I picked up last year. He's an amazing musician with a beautiful voice. His songs are moody and...

 |  No. 68

: Shotgun Singer

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

I meant to review this CD last issue along with some of the other reader submitted CDs I reviewed. It's probably a good thing that I missed it however as Shotgun Singer is in a class of it's own....

 |  No. 67

: The Ax in The Oak

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

Mr. Weaver is a solid songwriter who gives me a mental image of Leonard Cohen backed by Wilco. Cool stuff, produced and mixed by Brian Deck (Tape Op #36) at Engine in Chicago. Mastered by Alan...

 |  No. 67

: Sucker Punch Requiem

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

This is a post modern homage to the late, great artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Heavy on the electronics (but not laptop music), this was performed by a small ensemble with woodwinds, brass, percussion...

 |  No. 67

: Hallowed Ground

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

Jeff Scott Roberson Summer's Here These two albums carry the torch for traditional country music. Hawks land in the Gram Parsons camp, which is a pretty good place to be. This CD has some great tunes...

 |  No. 67

: $ell The Sky

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

Jack Endino (Tape Op #13/book Vol. II). did an awesome job producing, recording and mixing this at Soundhouse in Seattle. His quote on the band's press release sums it up perfectly, "Upwell is one of...

 |  No. 67

: s/t

reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

I've really enjoyed Oberst's last few albums under his Bright Eyes moniker, and this CD is nothing new or unexpected (that's a good thing). Well crafted, literate songs that would loosely fall under...

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