Not everything on these Fabulous Thunderbirds albums is fabulous, but Vaughan and Kim Wilson can be formidable singers and players, and, particularly on the early LPs, they and their bandmates delivered more than a few high-octane winners.
Read More »Reissues
Music Reviews: An Anthology of Beatles Covers, Ward Hayden Interprets Springsteen, and a Record about Records
Among the many winners on this roller-coaster ride are soulful renditions of “Let It Be” by Aretha Franklin and “Hey, Jude” by Wilson Pickett, the latter with guitar by Duane Allman, and George Benson’s jazzified “You Never Give Me Your Money.”
Read More »Music & Video Reviews: Rolling Stones’ ‘Black and Blue’ Box Set, plus Robert Gordon with Link Wray, and Melissa Carper’s Christmas Album
Melissa Carper's 'A Very Carper Christmas' is the best Christmas album of 2025, and one of the very best so far in this century.
Read More »Music Reviews: Boxing Up the Bangles, plus ‘Rock the Plaza’ and Kim Wilson’s ‘Slow Burn’
It's about time we had a box set from the Bangles, whose well-hooked, harmony-laden tunes provided some of the brightest moments on Top 40 radio in the 1980s.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Beatles’ ‘Anthology Collection,’ plus Concert Albums from Warren Zevon and Roland Kirk
If you’re a Beatles fan (and who isn’t?) and don’t already own the first three compendiums, the Anthology Collection should prove irresistible.
Read More »Music Reviews: Split Enz’s ‘ENZyclopedia,’ plus ‘Instrumental Hits of the Rock ’n’ Roll Era’ and Newly Restored Frank Sinatra Concerts
"Nowadays, I can hear beauty in the flaws,” writes Tim Finn.
Read More »Music Reviews: Jimi Hendrix’s ‘The Axis: Bold as Love Sessions,’ plus Bobby Charles, Dr. John, and Nina Simone
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's sophomore LP is loaded with high points and represents an important chapter in Hendrix’s musical history.
Read More »Music Reviews: ‘The Rich-R-Tone Folk Star Story,’ plus Willie Nelson, Jeb Loy Nichols, and Jonathan Richman
Fans of mid-20th-century Southern music will likely recognize the name of the act for which Rich-R-Tone is most known: the Stanley Brothers, whose first 14 bluegrass recordings appeared on the label and are all included here.
Read More »Music & Film Reviews: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska ’82,’ plus Diane Hubka, the Kasambwe Brothers, and Terry Klein
What might well offer sufficient reason to fork over your money for this expanded edition are the live performances of 'Nebraska'’s songs, which are presented in the same order as on the original album and offered both on CD and as a film on Blu-ray.
Read More »Music Reviews: Françoise Hardy Reissues, plus Bill Scorzari, Rosy Nolan, and Jamie Granger
Hardy was popular throughout Europe, and a sensation in her native country, where she scored 11 Top 10 singles, nine Top 10 LPs, and numerous lesser hits. Folks in the U.S. now have a chance to hear some of what they’ve missed, thanks to a slew of reissues.
Read More »
Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment