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Curtis Mayfield Was More Than His Music
Curtis Mayfield’s delicate falsetto always had a cool feeling to it. And yet, it was the burning-passion of his songs that solidified his reputation as one of soul music’s greatest singer-songwriters and social critics. Mayfield died on Dec. 26, 1999. He was 57. Continue reading
Remembering The Band’s Rick Danko
Thirty years after he was part of turning rock music on its head, Rick Danko, bassist and vocalist for the Band, died on Dec. 10. Though Danko’s and the Band’s fame have been mostly forgotten in recent years, their legacy and vital importance in rock music can’t be understated. Continue reading
1999 / Live Reviews / Music
Concert Review: The Boss Keeps The Dream Alive
It was during the first of two shows in Minneapolis on Sunday night — in the middle of “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” — that Bruce Springsteen and the reunited E Street Band’s self-appointed mission became clear. Continue reading
Review: A Solo Q-Tip Fulfills His Quest
Only a year after the trailblazing hip-hop trio A Tribe Called Quest called it quits, its frontman Q-Tip steps out from the group’s considerable shadow and has released his debut solo effort, “Amplified.” Continue reading
Review: New Clash, Rage Against The Machine Discs ‘Battle’ On
New albums by Rage Against the Machine and their agit-rock forebears in the Clash follow the same star — musically and politically. Continue reading
Beck Reinvents Self As Horny Soul Man
Beck Hansen is rock music’s man of a thousand faces. As this week’s release of his new album, “Midnite Vultures,” shows, he is again heading in some surprising new directions. Continue reading
Review: Fiona Apple’s Latest Lacks Core
Following up her breakthrough debut album, Fiona Apple’s new disc, “When the Pawn …,” seems to be missing something. The album is not un-endearing or boring, but it lacks the focus and sense of restrained passion that made her first so great. Continue reading
Review: Dr. Dre Fights Against His Past
But after spending the past few years helping other artists behind the scenes, hip-hop producer Dr. Dre is back with his sophomore solo album, “Dr. Dre 2001.” Continue reading
1999 / Live Reviews / Music
Cuban Musicians Say Forget Me Not
Beyond the music, the success of the Buena Vista Social Club project has been its story — that of older, forgotten musicians rediscovered as Cuba’s national treasures. With a string of albums and a documentary about the project celebrating this rebirth, members are currently touring the U.S., bringing with them almost a century of Cuban music. Continue reading
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