Robert Baird

Was it something in the air, something in the water? Cosmically inspired by the stars and the moon? Or maybe the devil was finally claiming his own as rock music in all its variants was unassailably ascendant.

Women have undeniably become the most dynamic and vital creative force in music today. Without their good energies and ideas, music, which in the digital age has become more background than art, would be much less interesting and inspiring.

Michel Petrucciani Trio: Jazz Club Montmartre - CPH 1988; Fred Hersch Trio: The Surrounding Green; Francesco Cafiso: From Then Till When; John Zorn/Dave Lombardo: Memories, Dreams, and Reflections; Joe Farnsworth: The Big Room; David Murray: Birdly Serenade

Five decades later, even dedicated fans of former Procol Harum guitarist Robin Trower have had to admit that they appreciate his solo albums for more than just his guitar gluttony. To be sure, For Earth Below's title track and his other blues-rock jams, obviously influenced by both the tone and approach of Jimi Hendrix, are foundational for today's stoner-rock subgenre.

As a music teacher, I can think of no better learning experience than what trumpeter Donald Byrd did in the early 1970s for a group of his music students. To quote the band's current website, "Byrd envisioned taking active students at Howard University in Washington, DC, on a real-world field trip which would expose them to ins and outs of the music business."

Various Artists: A Tribute to the King Of Zydeco
Valcour Records. VAL-LP 0058 (LP). 2025. Steve Berlin, Joel Savoy, prods.; Justin Tockett, Tony Daigle, Mike Napolitano, Matt Clifford, many others, engs.
Performance ****½
Sonics ****

Goose: Everything Must Go; Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke: Tall Tales; Sons Of The East: SONS; Hayden Pedigo: I'll Be Waving As You Drive Away.