Posts From Mark Leviton

John Fogerty’s ‘Blue Ridge Rangers’: One-Man Band

With CCR having called it a day, he entered the studio alone and put together an album’s worth of tributes to his country, gospel and bluegrass heroes.

Read More

Bill Withers, ‘Live at Carnegie Hall’: Soul Preachin’

He’d never even planned for a career in music. Before long, he found himself on stage at one of the most prestigious performance venues in the world.

Read More

Roger Daltrey and His 1973 Solo Debut: Doing A Favor

He wasn’t even planning on recording a solo album. But one thing led to another and soon The Who’s lead singer found himself with 10 songs of his own.

Read More

The Doors’ ‘LA Woman’: Last Call

Their sixth and final studio LP re-energized the band through a return to their roots in American blues, and served as a tribute to their hometown.

Read More

The Paul McCartney Solo Debut: His Declaration of Independence

The 1970 album, his first outside of the Beatles, is a picture of Paul in transition, a historical document of quiet beauty.

Read More

Bob Seger ‘Live Bullet’: Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll

Although he was a star locally, the Detroit rocker had been struggling for years to break out nationally—until he formed the Silver Bullet Band.

Read More

Ray Charles’ Soulful Country Music: ‘It’s Got to Move Me’

The 1962 album astonished pop consumers with the quality of the chosen songs, the intensity of Charles’ vocals and the amazing arrangements.

Read More

Jim Croce ‘You Don’t Mess Around With Jim’: An Everyman Arrives

With more time, he might have taken his place as an equal of James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Paul Simon, etc.

Read More

Ian Hunter ‘You’re Never Alone w/a Schizophrenic’: Dynamic Duo

Teaming with his favored guitar sidekick Mick Ronson, plus members of the E Street Band, the former Mott the Hoople leader created his best solo effort.

Read More

Squeeze and Their Hook-Filled ‘Argybargy’

The album became the British band’s first charting album in the U.S. upon release in 1980 thanks to songs like “Another Nail in My Heart.”

Read More