Two old timers who have similar voices – which really isn’t a compliment to either – both have new albums, and both are getting good reviews.
Mark Knopfler’s Privateering and Bob Dylan’s Tempest are being lauded by critics, including those from The Associated Press. The AP writes that Knopfler’s album is “a moody and entrancing musical travelogue spread over two discs” while Dylan’s Tempest is “is one of the best discs you’ll hear by anyone this year, at any age.”
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Here are some books to check out.
Duke Ellington brought class, sophistication and style to jazz which, until that point, was proudly unpolished and raucous. His story is profound. The author, Terry Teachout, also wrote "Pops," the acclaimed bio of Louis Armstrong. Click here or on the image.
What else is there to say? Here is the story behind every song written by The Beatles. Click here or on the image.
The Grateful Dead don't get enough credit for the profound nature of its lyrics. Many of the band's songs are driven by a deep and literate Americana ("I'm Uncle Sam/That's who I am/Been hidin' out/In a rock and roll band" and "Majordomo Billy Bojangles/Sit down and have a drink with me/What's this about Alabama/Keeps comin' back to me?").
David Dodd's exhaustive study tells the story, song by song. Click here or on the image.
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