The Rolling Stones | Beggars Banquet – Classic Commentary
So many musical puzzles fell together in 1968. The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix lead the way with career-defining albums released in November. Somehow, though, the Rolling Stones got in...
Supertramp | Breakfast In America – Classic Commentary
One of my fondest memories from my high school years, is from Spring 1979, sitting shotgun in my buddy Bill's Chevy Nova, managing yet another weekday afternoon drive home...
Deep Purple | Machine Head – Classic Commentary
Deep Purple's Machine Head was not made under favorable circumstances. The band was originally scheduled to begin recording at The Casino in Montreux, Switzerland, but, in their own words, "some stupid...
Bruce Springsteen | Born To Run – Classic Commentary
Born To Run is the album that put Bruce Springsteen on the cover of both Newsweek and Time. It is a timeless snapshot of Americana — all sweaty, high energy, tuned...
Peter Frampton | Frampton Comes Alive! – Classic Commentary
In 1969, Peter Frampton emerged from the woodwork as the lead guitarist for Humble Pie. When he quit in 1971, the Pie had just released a phenomenal live album...
Eagles | Hotel California – Classic Commentary
The peaceful, easy feeling the Eagles exuded in the early 70s had, by 1976, given way to a darker, more ominous sentiment. To begin, the band parted ways with...
Black Sabbath | Sabbath Bloody Sabbath – Classic Commentary
When it comes to Black Sabbath albums, the go-to’s seem to be the first three — Black Sabbath, Paranoid, and Master Of Reality. There’s little argument that these early...
Queen | A Night At The Opera – Classic Commentary
In and around the mid 70s, there was a cluster of different styles and temperaments stirring around in the pop music kettle. With progressive, glam and hard rock all...
Jethro Tull | Aqualung – Classic Commentary
In a previous write-up on Jethro Tull's Aqualung, I boldly proclaimed that the album, released in 1971, had ingrained itself into the rock stratum forever. On its 40 anniversary,...
Cheap Trick | At Budokan – Classic Commentary
In 1978, if you wanted a copy of Cheap Trick's At Budokan, you had to plop down $11.99 for the Japanese import. Epic, in their infinite wisdom, eventually released the...
