1. IT’S EPISODE 60 Four plus years in. If you’re not in it for the long haul, you’re never going to make it, especially if you’re not chasing trends. Set yourself on fire, people may pay attention, but not for long. Get the press stirred up and many will know about you overnight, but you’re […]

“Pop music is music for lonely people made by other lonely people.” Kim Fowley Maybe that’s why Winwood’s show at the Greek last night resonated so much. There was no backdrop. No patter. None of the trappings of today’s music extravaganzas, which too often resemble Broadway as opposed to the Fillmore. Once upon a time […]

I’d like to tell you I’m the kind of guy who fits in. Who’s been on an endless winning streak. Well-adjusted and happy. But that would be untrue. My life is about spectacular peaks and long stretches of valley. And what’s got me through, what’s carried me to the next peak, has been music. And […]

Last night I went to see Bettye LaVette at the Troubadour. Despite the venue being full but not packed to the rafters, Ms. LaVette gave it her all, with enough honest commentary to make you want to go to dinner with her, to hear her expound on life. In a world where opinions are anathema, […]