AltWeeklies Wire
Jack DeJohnette: 'Sound Travels'new
Since making a name for himself as the backbone of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew-era band, drummer Jack DeJohnette has solidified a reputation as one of jazz's most accomplished and versatile artists, a seasoned technician equally at home playing fusion, free or hard bop.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
02-08-2012 |
Reviews
Alex Chilton: Free Again: The "1970" Sessionsnew
In 1970, Alex Chilton was about to maneuver a truly remarkable rock 'n' roll reinvention: from voice of blue-eyed soul act the Box Tops to mastermind of pop-rock pioneers Big Star.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
01-26-2012 |
Reviews
Hank Jones and Charlie Haden: Come Sundaynew
When Hank Jones passed in May of 2010, he left behind a truly stunning legacy secured over seven decades as one of jazz's premier pianists playing alongside the likes of Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman, and Ella Fitzgerald.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
01-19-2012 |
Reviews
Guided By Voices: Let’s Go Eat the Factorynew
2011 was a tough year for alt-rock nostalgics: R.E.M.'s break-up, Sonic Youth's expected split, even Pavement's reunion tour turned bittersweet on news that there would be no formal reunion or forthcoming release.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
01-11-2012 |
Reviews
The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Their Last Time Outnew
If you know only one jazz song, chances are it's by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. That tune, 1959's "Take Five," along with a string of successful subsequent releases, made Brubeck and his band the most well-known and successful jazz band of the '60s.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
12-22-2011 |
Reviews
Charlotte Gainsbourg: Stage Whispernew
If there's a group more likely to make terrible records than the offspring of rock stars, it's actors. Charlotte Gainsbourg just so happens to fall into both categories.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
12-22-2011 |
Reviews
The Black Keys: El Caminonew
Have the Black Keys been making the same record for the last 10 years?
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
12-08-2011 |
Reviews
The Beach Boys: The Smile Sessionsnew
The Beach Boys' Smile long loomed as pop's greatest unfinished masterwork, before the weight of its ambitions took both Smile and the Beach Boys down with it.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
11-09-2011 |
Reviews
White Denim: Takes Places in Your Work Space EPnew
Standard EP recipe: Add album rejects, studio scraps, perhaps one or two über-experimental tracks, stir for 15-30 minutes, and serve quickly to fans impatient for the next full-length.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
11-03-2011 |
Reviews
Björk: Biophilianew
Few artists define "experimental" quite as effectively as Björk, which goes a long ways towards explaining how she has managed to remain so relevant throughout her three-decade career.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
10-20-2011 |
Reviews
Feist: Metalsnew
Let's get this out of the way first: there is no "1,2,3,4" on Feist's new record.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
10-06-2011 |
Reviews
Miles Davis Quintet: Live in Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1new
Unless you happen to be a musician or a very perceptive listener, it's often tough to distinguish exceptional jazz from the merely satisfactory.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
09-22-2011 |
Reviews
St. Vincent: Strange Mercynew
While it may technically have nothing to do with St. Vincent's (aka Annie Clark) latest release, it really is impossible to put Strange Mercy into context without mentioning her one-off performance this past May.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
09-14-2011 |
Reviews
The Rapture: In the Grace of Your Lovenew
We're not supposed to care about the Rapture.
San Antonio Current |
J.D. Swerzenski |
09-07-2011 |
Reviews
