CD/DVD Reviews

Secret OysterPublished In The Message For The Week, January 16, 2006
There is a legendary fusion jazz-rock band from Denmark who after 30 years apart, reformed last year to perform at Nearfest in Bethlehem, PA, an annual festival that showcases bands of the all-too-often overlooked genre of fusion, or progressive music.

Curbside LogoCurbside's Galvanize The Zeitgeist,
Curbside features the enduring and creative spirits of guitarist and bassist Donovan Hernandez and the percussion and effects of Gorge Ortega, friends and band mates since their high school days in a band called Red Halo.

Marrillion's "Somewhere Else"Published In Goldmine Magazine, June, 2007
Marillion is one of those bands that never really gets the credit they deserve. Originally riding the resurgent wave of the progressive rock movement in the early 80's with their flamboyant front man Fish, the band eventually shifted to a much more melodic, intelligent rock sound over the last 20 or so years, led by current singer/songwriter Steve Hogarth.

Bob Mould DVD "Circle of Friends"Published In Goldmine Magazine
Despite being one of the most influential alternative/punk artists of the last 25 years, somehow singer/songwriter/guitarist Bob Mould remains relatively unknown to the masses.
From his original band Husker Du, to his solo band Sugar, to his solo albums which have gone all over the map and back again, this Washington, D.C.–native has carved out quite a niche’ for himself within the vast landscape of the music underground.

Published In The Message For The Week, Dec. 26, 2007Todd Rundgren Live, Northampton, MA 12/15/07: photos by Kelly Milliken
Finally seeing Todd Rundgren live was both a welcoming and well overdue event for this reviewer and long–time fan. And the “camillion of rock” as I like to call him, certainly did not disappoint.

Bill Bruford's Earthworks Video Anthology Vol. IPublished In The Message For The Week, Nov. 2007
Legendary drummer/percussionist Bill Bruford is a true visionary, revealing no musical boundaries over the last 40 years as a drummer, band leader and song writer. Be it progressive rock, electric or acoustic jazz, chamber or world music – performing and recording with other bands (Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, UK) or his own Earthworks and Bruford band – Mr. Bruford has quite frankly, been there and done that.

Published in The Message For The Week, March, 18, 2007
Robyn's Hitchcock's "Ole' Tarantula"Odd-Englishman Robyn Hitchcock has been concocting his unusual blend of whimsically-driven, yet off kilter form of pop for over 30 years.
Strongly influenced by the early psychedelic-pop sounds of original Pink Floyd leader (the late) Syd Barrett, Hitchcock has usually taken a simplistic approach to his music.

photos by Veronica FarrenOnce in a while a CD comes my way by an artist that I not only already enjoy, but also harbor added insight from having gotten to know them a little. Veteran Boston–rocker Charlie Farren is one of those artists.
However it is even more rare when that CD in fact, happens to be a collection of songs that you not only enjoy at first listen, but also realize that “this one is going to become one of my favorites.”