Music

The Aunties of Uncle Earl

July 20, 2005
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Despite the fame of Alison Krauss, women bluegrass performers have been rare. The arrival of the all-female quintet Uncle Earl suggests things are going to change.

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Perfectly Picaresque

June 20, 2005
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The Decemberists’ album offers a lineup of tunes that would soothe Shakespeare on a balmy evening.

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Classical Music Commentary: Past Imperfect

June 17, 2005
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Old recordings of classical music may have less to teach us than many critics think. By Mark Kroll It has been more than 100 years since the first wax cylinder scratched out a reproduction of someone screaming into a megaphone, but classical music recordings still “can’t get no respect.” A common lament has been that,…

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Book Review: Frank Zappa — A Jerk of Genius

December 6, 2004
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Veteran British journalist Barry Miles pens the definitive biography of irreverent rocker Frank Zappa. Zappa by Barry Miles. Grove Press By Milo Miles Veteran British journalist and biographer Barry Miles, who has specialized in the Beatles and the Beats, treats Frank Zappa with the same corrosive irreverence the artist applied to every subject he discussed…

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Book Review: Bob Dylan’s Back Pages

November 16, 2004
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Bob Dylan’s first installment of his memoirs invokes the bard of old with engaging prose and an old carny’s sleight of hand. “Chronicles, Volume I” By Bob Dylan. By Tim Riley Bob Dylan is one of rock’s great trapeze artists. His songwriting is the stuff of literary aerobics, but his performances could re-attach your spine…

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