Cecil Taylor Explains It All
Pianist Cecil Taylor stormed onto the New York City club scene in the 1950s, shaking the foundations of modern music with what would become known as free jazz. A conversation with the master.
Music
A collection of 210 issues
The Top 10 Albums of 1981
Because album lists shouldn’t happen only once a year. In this installment: Iran’s taking hostages, Pat Sajak’s still on the air, and all of a sudden 1981 doesn’t feel like so long ago.
SXSW 2007: The Very First Review
The South by Southwest Music Festival is a never-ending stream of bands, booze, and laminates that barrels through Austin, Texas, each spring. Just because you’re not going doesn’t mean you can’t review it.
The Top 10 Albums of 1980
Because album lists shouldn’t happen only once a year. In this installment: The dawn of a new decade saw punk rock fading away, or at least saving up to buy a synthesizer.
Moody’s Mood for Bop
Jazz saxophone legend James Moody talks about how racism shaped his early career, what a “hot flute” can do for a repertoire, and encouraging budding musicians.
The Top 10 Albums of 1979
Because album lists shouldn’t happen only once a year. In this installment, times were good: Every album came with a poster, disco was dying, and actors weren’t Presidents.
Fragments From Horse’s Mouth! the Musical
It wasn’t long into the nation’s mourning for Barbaro that Broadway’s top producers hatched a plan to preserve his fame. But who knew purgatory was meant for horses?
The Top 10 Albums of 1978
Year-end album lists shouldn’t happen only once a year. Inaugurating a new series, Andrew Womack raids his music collection to rank his favorite albums from every year, year after year, starting with as far back as he can recollect.
Soulmakers: The Story of Holland / Dozier / Amin
Through all the highs, lows, and violent overthrows, Motown was always about the music. Excerpts from a forthcoming book on the label’s heady days, when a certain Ugandan was tearing through the ranks.
The Top 10 Albums of 2006
The “record” industry is dead and 99-cent singles are now the rule, and yet terrific, cohesive rock LPs kept appearing every week.