Reviewing your parents' music collection
The word 'migration' has gotten a slightly negative connotation in the context of politics in the last couple of years. But in the context of music, Dave Grusin is here to set the record straight as his 1989 album Migration is far from socio-political sorrow, multicultural messes and ideological irritation. Instead, what he brings to… Continue reading Groovin’ with Dave Grusin: The musical journey of ‘Migration’
A banging lead guitar. Song titles that sound like they've sprung directly from Scheherazade's One Thousand and One Nights. Mysterious blue tones framing a sinking orange sun. In case these things don't ring a bell, you might have never listened to Santana's 1972 album Caravanserai before. I never had. My parents own two copies of… Continue reading At the Crossroad: Santana’s ‘Caravanserai’ should leave the vocals behind
There is such a thing as the musical wallflower. An album that has been there forever, blending in with its background on the shelf. Hidden from view. I must have skipped over Mike Rutherford's Smallcreep's Day for years when looking through my dad's vinyls. I don't remember listening to it ever before. Maybe because my… Continue reading Wondrous Wallflower: ‘Smallcreep’s Day’ is no stroke of genius – but worth a listen!
It's 1971. Emerson, Lake & Palmer are performing Pictures at an Exhibition at Newcastle City Hall for the first time. A couple of years later my dad will buy the ELP 1979 live album, featuring that concert and will find himself listening to Mussorgsky's melodies for the first time. Struck by the music, he will… Continue reading The Great Gates of Prog Rock Perfection: Emerson, Lake & Palmer reimagine ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’
Maybe you can relate: You've been listening to a song for years and years and suddenly you stumble upon the information that what you thought to be the original is actually a cover version. Think of Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You (originally performed by Dolly Parton) or Tainted Love - you've probably heard the Soft Cell or Marilyn Manson… Continue reading ‘Werbung, Baby!’ or How the Finnish wrote Van Halen’s ‘Jump’
The Dad Anthology 