Posts From Sam Sutherland
Steely Dan ‘The Royal Scam’: Rock on a Grand Scale
The 1976 LP proved divisive, augmenting the leaner ensemble core of prior albums with more aggressive ensemble arrangements
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Dr. John’s ‘Gumbo’: A New Orleans Master’s Thesis
For the sessions, instead of his own new material, he breathed authentic life into lively new versions of hometown classics.
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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s ‘Deja Vu’: A Volatile Chemistry
By any standard, it was an enormous success. But when CSN added a new member for their second album, it was an alliance that would both define and bedevil them
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Manassas: Stephen Stills’ Finest (Solo) Hour
Stills’ third full-length as leader showcased a collaborative ensemble flexible enough to cover a broad stylistic palette.
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Bonnie Raitt Rebounds in the ‘Nick of Time’
Just when her career needed a boost, Raitt switched labels and came up with her biggest hit album, which took her all the way to number one
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Pretenders Reborn: ‘Learning to Crawl’ @ 40
With hits like “Back on the Chain Gang” and “My City Was Gone,” the band successfully rebounded from tragedy.
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Parton, Ronstadt and Harris’ ‘Trio’: Soaring Sisterhood
Their partnership is among the purest, boasting a celestial vocal blend, rooted in mutual admiration and the sheer joy of making music
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Rickie Lee Jones’ Debut: Hipster Chic, Beyond Laurel Canyon
She reached beyond folk, rock and blues influences then dominant among Los Angeles’ singer-songwriters, looking to earlier generations of songsmiths.
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Mark Knopfler—’Local Hero’ Soundtrack: A Musical Homecoming
Knopfler delivered a score that was integral to the film’s enduring appeal, launching a successful second career as a film composer.
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Jackson Browne: The 1st Album, An L.A. Troubadour’s Debut
Several of his songs, written when he was still in his teens, had already been recorded by others by the time Browne entered the studio to cut his debut
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