Durand Jones @ les Étoiles, Paris - August 30th, 2023

A wonderful show by soul singer Durand Jones, in support of his first solo record Wait Til I Get Over. A few. The world has changed since we last saw him four years ago at the Trabendo with his regular band The Indications: The COVID-19 pandemic has reshuffled the cards for everything and everyone. American politics have grown even more polarized, and the social climate is looking bleaker by the day. The economical divide is even more gaping, and the racial issue is even more prevalent in the news. While the album does allude to the current situation, it does so by looking inwards: it is a deeply personal reflection on origins, legacy and identity, putting the listener in the mind of Jones, a young, bisexual black man living in Louisiana.

Josie @ les Étoiles, Paris - August 30th, 2023

Opening for Durand Jones at les Étoiles was French (but English-singing) artist Josie, which in all honesty we hadn't heard of before tonight. For an aging music fan like yours truly, the name Josie obviously conjures up memories of Steely Dan, and sometimes her music isn't far removed from that "Yacht-Rock" ethos. But with her silky pop songs with a sultry soul vibe, the most obvious comparison would be St. Vincent.

Make Darryl Jones an official member of The Rolling Stones already!

The Rolling Stones are gearing up to release their first album of new original material in nearly twenty years, and the promotion machine is getting started. Soon, we will be inundated with photos and videos of the band members to drum up excitement. Fans like me will be eating it up, of course.

It's bittersweet, as The Rolling Stones are now down to three official members: octogenarian singer Mick Jagger, elegantly wasted guitarist Keith Richards, and goofy but reliable six-stringer Ron Wood. Only two out of those three are original members. Beloved drummer Charlie Watts passed away two years ago. So now is the perfect time to make Darryl Jones, their long-time bassist, an official partner in the band.

This Film Should Be Played Loud! - Marillion, Bruce, The Band, Dio, & Bootsy

Today we introduce "This Film Should Be Played Loud!", a new feature on the site: every so often, we will feature five concert movies that we've been enjoying, spanning all genres and eras. There is no method to the madness, no particular order, no rhyme or reason. We're just presenting concert movies and live videos that we like, hoping that is resonates with someone, somewhere.

In the spirit of transparency, if you buy these products by clicking on the links we've provided, we get a very (very!) small commission... So treat yo'selves!

Listen to Alice Cooper's new album Road here

If you've been following this blog, then you have probably noticed that I am a huge Alice Cooper fan. He's  the artist I've seen in concert the most and I'm of the opinion that his catalogue is as great as Elton John's or David Bowie's. Despite all this, I was totally ready to be completely underwhelmed by his new record, like I have been by some or even most of the recent ones. And by recent, I mean released in the past quarter century...

The Rolling Stones tease new album "Hackney Diamonds"

The world is in turmoil: war, social unrest, democracies crumbling, heatwaves, hurricanes and other catastrophic natural events, a fifth Indiana Jones film... 

Thankfully one thing will make it all better: the new Rolling Stone album is coming. Featuring contributions by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, former bassist Bill Wyman and the last sessions ever recorded by late drummer Charlie Watts, this will be the World's Greatest Rock n' Roll Band™'s first full length album of new and original material since 2005's A Bigger Bang. 

Check out the website for the upcoming album by your favorite octogenarian rock stars at the link below.

Otis & the Hurricanes @ Blues on the Block, Block Island, RI