The Marvel of Cécile McLorin Salvant The Marvel of Cécile McLorin Salvant
How wonderful, and strange, that a jazz singer can achieve such stardom nowadays.
Dec 26, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
The Best Albums of 2017 The Best Albums of 2017
This year, no common thread unifies all the albums of high quality—except for the obvious fact that they were released at a time of profound anxiety, looming danger, and enveloping...
Dec 20, 2017 / David Hajdu
Songs of Aggression Songs of Aggression
A review of popular music reveals striking and distressing similarities in the way men talk about and deal with women in today’s society.
Dec 8, 2017 / David Hajdu
The Satisfactions of St. Vincent The Satisfactions of St. Vincent
There’s a full band’s worth of talent in that name.
Nov 1, 2017 / David Hajdu
From Jazz Clubs to Classrooms From Jazz Clubs to Classrooms
Recent releases by two jazz-program graduates, Ryan Keberle and Tyshawn Sorey, make potent cases for whatever educational methods work.
Aug 31, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Wired Up and Let Loose Wired Up and Let Loose
Two new releases bring to light the remarkable prescience of Raymond Scott’s sonic experimentation.
Jul 31, 2017 / David Hajdu
The Spirit of Prog Rock The Spirit of Prog Rock
Its creative ambitions were engulfed by its pretensions.
Jul 13, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Adapting ‘Angels in America’ Adapting ‘Angels in America’
Sometimes, adaptation is a form of redundancy. This new opera, based on Tony Kushner’s 1992 play, is something stirring in its own way and unexpectedly timely.
Jun 16, 2017 / David Hajdu
Incremental and Slow In Coming Incremental and Slow In Coming
What needs to be said but shouldn’t be noteworthy: All three honorees for the Pulitzer Prize in Music were women.
May 31, 2017 / David Hajdu
Doesn’t Every Political Resistance Need a Soundtrack? Doesn’t Every Political Resistance Need a Soundtrack?
In their efforts to protest Trump’s ascension as soon as possible, more than one artist has recast an existing song with lyrics applicable to the current crisis.
May 16, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu