Robert Baird, Ray Chelstowski

October 2026 Rock/Pop Record Reviews

Robert Baird, Ray Chelstowski Oct 13, 2026

Tony Joe White: Eyes; Goose: Big Modern!; Deer Tick: Coin-O-Matic; Finn Wolfhard: Fire from the Hip; Mamas Gun: Dig!; Charbel Haber: May a soft sun bless your sky while you wait for the inevitable.

Aural Robert

Two Great Albums from the Inimitable Jimmy Scott

Robert Baird Oct 06, 2026

While the tale of Jimmy Scott's return from obscurity sounds apocryphal, it is surely one of popular music's happier endings. After years of being out of music , Scott's reemergence began in flamboyant fashion when he sang at the 1991 funeral of revered songwriter Doc Pomus.

Aural Robert

The Lemon Twigs Have Not Forsaken Melody for Rhythm

Robert Baird Sep 08, 2026

In a college music class I teach in New York City, the question of whether rhythm or melody is more important comes up every semester. Not surprisingly, given the age of the average college student, rhythm is always the clear winner. The influence of hip-hop has almost made the question moot.

Music and Recording Reviews

August 2026 Jazz Record Reviews

Jim Austin, Robert Baird, Thomas Conrad Aug 11, 2026

Jim Snidero: Best of the Trio Recordings; Nils Petter Molvær: Be Quiet; Adam O'Farrill: Elephant; The Oscar Peterson Trio: At Baker's Keyboard Lounge; Joe Syrian Motor City Jazz Octet: A Blue Time;

Aural Robert

John Prine's Legacy

Robert Baird Aug 06, 2026

In October 2022, a notable group of accomplished musicians including Lyle Lovett, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Steve Earle, Bob Weir, Valerie June, Dwight Yoakam, and others gathered at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville to perform and record the soundtrack for the film You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine.

Music and Recording Reviews

July 2026 Rock/Pop Record Reviews

Robert Baird, Ray Chelstowski, Jason Victor Serinus Jul 13, 2026

T. Rex: Electric Warrior; Tasha Warren & Dave Eggar: MotherLoad; Bruce Hornsby: Indigo Park; Altin Gün: Garip; King Tuff: Moo; Snail Mail: Ricochet.

Aural Robert

A Day in Tarifa: Pittsburgh Guitarist John Shannon

Robert Baird Jul 07, 2026

Pittsburgh has played a very meaningful if largely ignored role in the history of jazz. Known more for steel and sports teams than for musical innovation, Pittsburgh is the birthplace and first musical incubator or home to bandleader-vocalist Billy Eckstine; pianists Erroll Garner, Earl "Fatha" Hines, and Ahmad Jamal; drummers Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, and Jeff "Tain" Watts; and bassist Ray Brown.

Recording of the Month

Recording of July 2026: Paul McCartney: The Boys of Dungeon Lane

Robert Baird Jun 22, 2026

Paul McCartney: The Boys of Dungeon Lane
MPL/Capitol Records 578853 (LP). 2026. McCartney, Andrew Watt, prods. and engs.
Performance ****½
Sonics ****½

Music and Recording Features

Vinylphyle & Definitive Sound

Robert Baird Jun 17, 2026

Not long ago, the return of vinyl records was still being labeled a fad—a momentary fascination that given the convenience of the digital world would soon fade. Then around 2022, when vinyl outsold CDs for the first time since 1987, minds began to change.

Aural Robert Interviews

Don Dixon, Coproducer of R.E.M.'s Murmur and Reckoning

Robert Baird Jun 07, 2026

Over the past 40 years, R.E.M.'s 1983 full-length debut, Murmur, has come to seem ever more timeless. "There's something very special about that record that you can't put into words exactly," mused Don Dixon, who coproduced Murmur and its follow-up, Reckoning, in a recent interview.