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4 Albums From 1988 by Veteran Artists That Showed the Youngsters How It Was Done
Four albums by established artists showed that experience could still produce vital, acclaimed music in 1988, despite younger acts dominating much of the commercial landscape. – Traveling Wilburys’ Vol. 1 united George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne in a cohesive roots-rock collaboration. – Leonard Cohen’s I’m Your Man paired dark…
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“We hit play, and the opening chords of Yes’ Rhythm Of Love sounded exactly like the beginning of the first song on my album. I thought we’d stuck in the wrong tape!” Jason Becker loves Trevor Rabin’s work
Jason Becker has praised former Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin, recalling how Rabin’s playing immediately impressed him as a teenager. Becker said the opening of Yes’s Rhythm Of Love closely resembled his own instrumental Altitudes, but rather than causing frustration it led him and fellow guitarist Marty Friedman to admire Rabin’s inventive playing, songwriting and tone.…
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Nigeria date removed from South African pop star Tyla’s world tour after boycott petition
Nigeria has been removed from South African singer Tyla’s forthcoming world tour itinerary, days after Lagos was included in the initial announcement. No official reason was given, but the decision follows a Nigerian petition and online calls for a boycott over anti-migrant sentiment and alleged xenophobic violence in South Africa, highlighting how strained relations are…
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On This Day in 1971, James Taylor Went No. 1 With a Song His Friend Wrote in Response To “Fire and Rain”
On 31 July 1971, James Taylor reached number one with “You’ve Got a Friend”, a song written by his friend and collaborator Carole King. The hit became one of Taylor’s best-known recordings and highlighted the close creative relationship between two leading singer-songwriters of the era. King wrote the song in response to Taylor’s “Fire and…
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Carly Simon Gets Poetic on New Song ‘Peaches’
Carly Simon has released ‘Peaches’, a new single from her forthcoming album Comes in Waves, shortly after publicly disclosing that she has Parkinson’s disease. The song’s themes of bodily and emotional limitations give added resonance to her health update, while marking a return to new music from the veteran singer-songwriter. ‘Peaches’ follows the lead single…
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3 Country Deep Cuts From the 1980s That Belong in the Honky-Tonk Hall of Fame
Three underappreciated 1980s country songs are highlighted as deserving recognition in a notional “Honky-Tonk Hall of Fame”. – K. T. Oslin’s “I’ll Always Come Back” topped both US and Canadian country charts in 1988, but is now rarely heard on country radio. – Merle Haggard’s “Back To The Barrooms Again”, the 1980 album’s title track,…
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Arca Unleashes New Album XXXXX: Stream
Arca has released her new album, XXXXX, her first full-length record since the five-part KiCk series in 2021. The release continues the artist’s pattern of five-character album titles and marks another significant project from the experimental musician and producer. The album was previewed on 23 July through a two-hour “Diva.Experimental” livestream, directed by Daniel Sannwald…
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The Black Queen Announce ‘Fever Daydream’ 10th Anniversary Shows
The Black Queen have announced a UK tour to mark the tenth anniversary of their debut album, Fever Daydream. The shows signal the band’s return to British venues ahead of a forthcoming new album, with vocalist Greg Puciato describing the UK as particularly important to the group. The six-date run begins in Brighton on 10…
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North West’s Debut Headlining Tour With Molly Santana Canceled Just Days Before Scheduled Kick-Off: ‘Sadly, It’s Not Happening Anymore’
North West’s debut co-headlining North American tour with rapper Molly Santana has been cancelled days before it was due to begin in Dallas on 5 August. The cancellation removes a planned live launch for West’s debut EP, NOrth4evr, and affects fans who had bought tickets across 14 dates. The tour was due to run until…
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Billy Bob Thornton names the only “legendary” post-1980 bands that will be remembered in 100 years
The article revisits Billy Bob Thornton’s view that very few bands emerging after 1980 will achieve lasting, century-long cultural recognition. He identifies Nirvana and U2 as the exceptions, arguing that their music and influence set them apart from most later acts. Thornton made the remarks while discussing the durability of popular music, contrasting post-1980 artists…