AltWeeklies Wire
New Box Set Captures Orbison's Otherworldlinessnew

This career-summarizing four-CD collection supplants the 18-year-old box The Legendary Roy Orbison, and serves as a cost-effective alternative to Orbison, Bear Family's pricey, comprehensive seven-CD overview of Orbison's days at Sun, RCA, and Monument.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
10-03-2008 |
Reviews
Musicial Treasure Chris Gaffney Needs Your Help to Livenew
Two months ago, friends and fans were alarmed to learn that Gaff had become desperately ill. After he was originally diagnosed with hepatitis C, further tests uncovered cirrhosis of the liver; about a month ago, a large tumor was discovered on his liver. He will eventually need an organ transplant.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
04-04-2008 |
Music
Tags: Chris Gaffney
Music of Many Colorsnew
Nigeria Special is consistently surprising, enlightening, and danceable.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
03-21-2008 |
Reviews
Social 'Distortion'new
The Magnetic Fields finds melody and romance amid the searing shoegaze noise.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
02-22-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Distortion, Magnetic Fields
Epic Re-Creationnew

Drive-By Truckers' latest reflects band's changes and plays to its strengths.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
02-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
George Jones and Merle Haggard Box Sets Help Us Through Decembernew
Haggard's The Studio Recordings and Jones' She Thinks I Still Care duly honor the country greats.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
12-14-2007 |
Reviews
Royal Soulnew
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings deliver a new album rich with classic sounds.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
11-30-2007 |
Profiles & Interviews
Bettye LaVette Powers into the Futurenew
She may be gazing in a rear-view mirror on the cover of The Scene of the Crime, but LaVette is not looking back.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
10-05-2007 |
Reviews
Songs to Run for Cover Tonew
Get down to the death and disaster songs of People Take Warning!
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
09-21-2007 |
Reviews
'Lonely' So Much Morenew
Soul pioneer Arthur Alexander's stellar final release receives a lively reissue.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
09-07-2007 |
Reviews
Warren Zevon: Ain't That Pretty At Allnew
An oral history and CD reissues shed light on this "Excitable Boy."
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
05-18-2007 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Warren Zevon
This 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' is Packin'new
Miranda Lambert brings a little noir to country's new mainstream.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
05-04-2007 |
Reviews
Return of the Bad Girlnew
Shangri-Las leader Mary Weiss' new album is tough but sweet.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
03-09-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Dangerous Game, Mary Weiss
A 'Place' Out of Timenew
Dark and gorgeous, and soon to be reissued, Catherine Howe's obscure 70s album is still an oddity.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
01-12-2007 |
Reviews
The Cycle of 'Changes'new

This new Fahey set captures the guitarist revisiting his roots near the end of his life.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
12-15-2006 |
Reviews