Ray Charles' gritty voice takes a trifle of a tune and transforms "Isn't It Wonderful" into an intimate and enticing lover's plea. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Music Reviews Music reviews of new albums in pop, rock, folk, jazz, blues, classical, world, and hip-hop.
La Lupe in New York, 1967. Courtesy of Richie Viera's Archive/Fania Records hide caption
Yuck's "Rubber" fuses the DNA of grunge, shoegaze and fuzzy garage pop into a sound that has the '90s in its blood. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Yuck
Los Ginkas courtesy of the artist hide caption
Listen to Los Ginkas' "Linda Manz"
Nastiness and cynicism often take precedence over melody in Colin Newman's singing, but not in Wire's "Smash." Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Smash
The young Hawaiian ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro infuses a rock staple with a moment of tropical island Zen. Danny Clinch/Courtesy of Shore Fire Media hide caption
Bohemian Rhapsody
Country Joe at Woodstock. Bear Family Records hide caption
In "Free," Erik Wunder of Man's Gin exudes a certain rough sweetness even as he damns everything around him. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Smiling Dogs
Listen to "Gov't Seizure" by Girlfriends
James Carr. Courtesy of Ace Records hide caption
John Vanderslice's "The Piano Lesson" is imbued with a playfully cinematic quality, without becoming overly precious or saccharine. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
White Wilderness
In "Brand New Swamp Thing," Giant Sand shares a roadside love story about a woman unafraid to make the first move. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
'Brand New Swamp Thing' by Giant Sand
From left to right: percussionist Sara Lund, vocalist Corin Tucker and producer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lorinczi. John Clark hide caption
"I Want to Thank You" shows off the heavenly exuberance that helped make Billy Preston a star in the late '60s. Apple Corps Ltd. hide caption
That's the Way God Planned It
In the modern folk gem "My Father’s Son," Anthony D'Amato's protagonist struggles with inherited vices. Diamond D Photography hide caption