Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: Magic Is Afoot; Magic Never Died

Photos courtesy of Eric Alper “Illuminations by Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of my favorite albums. When she sings at her best, it’s the soul laid bare.” – Steve Hackett (2020) “I...

Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: America’s Second Coming (“Yes, I’m Back To Stay”)

America photo courtesy of MSO PR Gerry Beckley photo courtesy of Joe Beckley Ten years after taking home the Grammy for Best New Artist, perennial folk-rock group America found itself at a...

Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: Bird On A Desire Wire

There’s a notable omission from the acclaimed documentary 20 Feet from Stardom. Cidny Bullens should qualify for cast inclusion simply based on the fact he launched his career backing up...

Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: Billy Cobham’s Vital Transformation ~ Billy Cobham’s ‘Spectrum’

Photo Courtesy of Billy Cobham Billy Cobham Spectrum Billy Cobham became a legend well before releasing his debut solo album. Prior to 1973, the Panamanian drummer by way of New York cut...

Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: Highly Strung ~ Hackett Revisited

Photos by Tina Korhonen Steve Hackett’s fingers should be in the Smithsonian — given all they’ve created since the opening lines of “The Musical Box” came wafting in to introduce Genesis’...

Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: Shaking It Up Solo ~ Benjamin Orr’s ‘The Lace’

Photo Courtesy of Diane Grey Page Benjamin Orr The Lace “The reason it took me so long to do a solo project is that nobody asked me to do one before...” — Benjamin...

Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: Exile On Easy Street

Photo Courtesy of Exile In 1978, the Gibb brothers and younger sibling Andy engaged in a six-month-long ping-pong-like domination over the Billboard Hot 100, volleying one iconic hit to fans...

Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: Snake Eyes, Seventh Heaven ~ The Alan Parsons Project ‘The...

Photo Courtesy of Lenny Zakatek The Alan Parsons Project The Turn Of A Friendly Card In 1980, the Alan Parsons Project opted to make gambling the core concept of its fifth album....

Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: 10cc Attains High Art (For Art’s Sake)

Photos courtesy of Glass Onion PR Reflect back on the great 1970s British bands and you’ll see 10cc more than measures up to their competition. Equal parts irreverent and intellectual, the...

Ira Kantor’s Vinyl Confessions: Follow Me ~ The Musical Majesty Of Demis Roussos

Photos courtesy of Rosmarie Kaiser One of the greatest singers to ever grace the planet never had a Top 40 hit in America. While you’re likely to be more familiar with his...