James McMurtry’s Facebook page describes him as “Steadily Shedding Fans Since 1989.”
Music
Opera Album Review: A Major Baroque Opera in English Receives a Stylish Recording
Aside from English pronunciation issues, the singers put over this remarkably polished and attractive opera by one of England’s great seventeenth-century composers with great panache, matching the superb instrumentalists.
Opera Interview: Director Anne Bogart Takes on “Bluebeard’s Castle/Four Songs”
“We take the audience on a journey that’s not part of a traditional approach to opera.”
Book Review: “Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History”
Even more impressive than the sheer amount of raw knowledge Bill Janovitz puts on display is the way he expertly elaborates on Leon Russell’s familiar resume highlights to create a full, three-dimensional portrait of a very complicated artist (and person).
Rock Concert Review: The “Remain in Light” Tour — A Very Welcome Revival
The 11-piece group frontloaded its 90-minute set for immediate impact, answering the biggest challenge — replacing the vocal charisma of David Byrne — with a communal approach.
Classical Music Album Review: Bamberger Symphoniker’s “Liebestod” — Anything But Sleepy
Don’t let the redundancy of much of this album’s repertoire dissuade you. On all the vital metrics, Liebestod delivers
Album Review: A Past Fit for the Future –“Birthright: A Black Roots Music Compendium”
Projects such as Birthright: A Black Roots Music Compendium extricate the resilient voice of the people from the cacophony of current ideological intervention.
Classical Album Review: Missy Mazzoli’s “Dark with Excessive Bright”
Missy Mazzoli’s scoring is generally airy and virtuosic, yet Dark with Excessive Bright doesn’t seem to add up to more than the sum of its parts.
Rock Concert Review: Elvis Costello — Proudly Flaunting his Dependability and Unpredictability
Elvis Costello loves to visit various regions of the past but wouldn’t dare move to any of them permanently.
Classical Concert Review: The Boston Symphony Orchestra Plays Davis, Dawson, and Bonds
While balancing the scales of justice can be difficult work, the effort is an important act of generosity, even love.