Soft and Warm

I hit the quiet storm trifecta on Sunday.  While watching Will Downing deliver the classic 1998 ballad “Stop, Look, Listen to Your Heart” at the Kansas City Jazz & Heritage Festival, I was rocked by a bolt of adult R&B inspiration.  I hustled to the nearby Celebration at the Station to hear Patti Austin perform with the Kansas City Symphony.  At the conclusion of her portion of the massive event, I raced back to the Jazz District in time to catch Oleta Adams revive her 1991 smash “Get Here”.  Rarely has my unironic embrace of slow jams been more rewarding.


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I reviewed the first and second days of the Kansas City Jazz & Heritage Festival for The Kansas City Star.  I pontificate on the inaugural edition of the festival at Plastic Sax.

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Samantha Fish’s two-night stand at Crossroads KC was my show of the week for The Kansas City Star and Ink magazine.

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I gave Oleta Adams the KCUR Band of the Week designation.

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Gregg Allman has died.  He seemed frail at a 2015 casino gig I reviewed for The Kansas City Star.

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I write weekly music previews for The Kansas City Star and Ink magazine.

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Mickey Roker has died.

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The new reissue of Mulatu of Africa is unassailably groovy.  The many imperfections of Mulatu Astatke’s 1972 album somehow makes the music even more perfect.  RIYL: Roy Ayers, qi, Sun Ra.

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Robert Johnson has nothing on Willie Nelson.  God’s Problem Child is yet another improbably strong album from the 84-year-old icon.

(Original image of the Celebration at the Station by There Stands the Glass.)

Album Review: Walker Family Singers- Panola County Spirit

Friends know that I throw myself into the Lenten season with gusto.  The deprivations I’ve endured (it’s day 41, but who’s counting?) have seemed inconsequential this year.  The Walker Family Singers’ Panola County Spirit is partly responsible for guiding me through this period.  The new album is an a cappella gospel gem that brings tears of gratitude to my eyes.  Here’s a frustratingly brief promo video.


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I reviewed a thoroughly engaging concert by Nightwish, Sonata Arctica and Delain.

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Patti Austin’s concert at the Gem Theater was a mess.  Here’s my review.

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I discussed David Cook's career on KCUR last week.

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I write weekly music previews for The Kansas City Star and Ink magazine.

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I wrote an extended preview for Brian Fallon’s performance at the Riot Room.

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I reviewed the Paul Shinn Trio’s Into That Good Night at Plastic Sax.

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Steve Young has died.  ”It’s Not Supposed to Be That Way” is my favorite Young composition.

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Julian Lage’s Arclight is excellent.  RIYL: Django Reinhardt, loud twang, Chet Atkins.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)