Paul Simon’s new album, “You’re The One,” carries a sense of the understated. The album’s serene songs, which seem to move and weave with a strong sense of effortlessness, hover only a bit louder than silence. They remain low-key, like shy wallflowers at a school dance. Continue reading
Both Live and Counting Crows are tried-and-true alternative rock bands who slid into heavy video rotation on MTV in the ’90s. At a co-headlining show in Minneapolis on Wednesday night, this double feature reinforced how they won mainstream appeal. Continue reading
For most of the last decade, singer-songwriter Victoria Williams has quietly released folk-oriented albums and collaborated with her husband Mark Olson (formerly of the Jayhawks). But, her newest effort, “Water To Drink,” threatens to alter the world’s musical perceptions of Williams and to bring her to a wider audience. Continue reading
On their self-titled debut, the new band Unified Theory — which features ex-members of alternative-rock stalwarts Blind Melon and Pearl Jam — has created a sound that borrows quite a bit from the frolicking 1960s, albeit with a modern twist. If only the songs were better. Continue reading
A new “Classic Albums” documentary on Bob Marley’s major label debut, “Catch a Fire,” transports listeners back in time to see how an unknown Jamaican band -– with the help of Island Records guru Chris Blackwell –- designed a record to capture rock fans’ attention and brought reggae to a world audience. Continue reading
At a joint show of rock veterans at Minneapolis’ Target Center, Bob Dylan proved that he’s still a stunning live act, while tourmate Phil Lesh, formerly of the Grateful Dead, proved that he still has something to learn. Continue reading
Summertime is traditionally when the movie industry doles out its biggest hitters, but it’s also when music’s heavyweights hit the road. Here’s a preview of some of the biggest tours slated for the summer of 2000. Continue reading
After delivering a hat trick of exceptional albums in the ’90s — all of which failed to register with the general public — the Jayhawks have just released “Smile,” its most blatant attempt at a commercial record to date. Continue reading
After more than 70 years of living the blues, B.B. King proved during his performance at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis why he’s billed as the “king of the blues.” Continue reading
Neil Young has completed “Silver & Gold,” yet another sequel to his ’70s country-rock masterpiece, “Harvest.” This new disc is mildly successful — if only because it seems that we’ve heard all this before. Continue reading
Soundbytes Music Column 