Today's drive: To my daughter's ski race and back. Soundtrack: Two Elton John double albums...going out, into the blazing sunset, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), the classic we all know...coming back, into the deepening twilight, Blue Moves (1976), the moody dark horse we all should know better.

Brandi Carlile lunchbox cartoon for my kid, who I took to the concert last night at TD Garden in Boston. Holy smokes, what a show, what a genius. Moments of quiet intimacy, moments of heartfelt humor, moments of raging rock. If she comes to your town, you must see Brandi Carlile in concert.

Now spinning at my house, from the defunct new age label Windham Hill's short-lived jazz imprint: Tears Of Joy (1988) by Tuck & Patti, a duo of soulful vocals and intricate guitar...and Metropolis (1989) by Turtle Island String Quartet, playing lyrical covers of Pat Metheny, Coltrane, Lee Morgan 💯

Now spinning at my house, in honor of Andrew Ranken, drummer for The Pogues, who has passed away: If I Should Fall From Grace With God (1988) by The Pogues...more than a masterpiece, it warms me like a favorite sweater and makes me feel all the emotions from joy to pathos...thank you, Andrew---mrb

Now spinning at my house, as I'm writing on deadline: Second Toughest In The Infants (1996) by Underworld, a shimmering and pulsating electronic epic...yes, I'd rather be back in a club, losing my mind to this on the dance floor, but in my home office, its delirious relentlessness helps me focus

Now spinning at my house, a concert by one of our greatest musical geniuses and one of our greatest bands: Prince & The Revolution: Live, by Prince & The Revolution, from the Purple Rain tour, 30 March 1985 at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse, New York...two hours of rock soul heart and joy, amazing 🔥💜🔥

Now spinning at my house, one of the 1990s best albums, by one of the USA's greatest live bands: Kiko (1992) by Los Lobos, wherein each of its 16 songs is different from the next, the songwriting is stellar, they play a vast variety of instruments, the production is evocative...a 10/10 masterpiece

Now spinning at my house, a mighty mountain of German postpunk: Gift 1983-1984 by Xmal Deutschland, legends from Hamburg, whose 4AD boxset just came out last year, containing the albums Fetisch (1983) Tocsin (1984) plus two EPs...loud yet ghostly, chilly yet fierce, atonal yet catchy, what a band!

Now spinning at my house, hot'n'sweet grooves for a cold bright morning: The Payback (1974) by James Brown, the Godfather of Soul's magnum opus, clocking in at 73 flawless minutes...the eight long tracks are classics, as they ride the polyrhythms, bass, horns and JB's chants into one funky sun

Now spinning at my house, the morning after the Grammy Awards: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (2025) by Bad Bunny, an hour of exhilarating eclectic music, stirring up reggaeton electronica salsa and folk music into songs that range from massive bangers to haunting ballads...so glad it won Album Of The Year!

Say hello to my son's fish, Dr. Funkenstein. Indeed, my boy and I listen to a lot of P-Funk together, so when he picked out this feisty male betta at the pet store, he named it after one of George Clinton's most heroic alter-egos. This fish definitely pledges groovallegiance to the funk. 🎵🎸🐟🎷🎶

Now spinning at my house, by one of the world's greatest singers: Minas (1975) and Geraes (1976) by Milton Nascimento, together they pay tribute to his Brazilian home state, Minas Geraes...the first is more jazz fusion/prog rock, the second is more pastoral folk, both are exquisitely lush & surreal

Now spinning at my house, one of the best-ever movie soundtracks: Until The End Of The World (1991), made for Wim Wenders' 4½ globetrotting sci-fi epic that I completely adore, along with these songs by this stellar lineup of musicians (Lou Reed! R.E.M.! Depeche Mode! Talking Heads! Can! more!)

Now spinning at my house, after digging my car out of 16 inches of snow: Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! (1967) by The Cannonball Adderly Quintet, an utterly exuberant album...you'd expect nothing less from this soulful alto saxman, brother Nat on cornet & future Weather Report leader Joe Zawinul on keys

Today's walk soundtracks: Love's Easy Tears (1986) & Aikea-Guinea (1985) by Cocteau Twins Result: Two majestic EPs by this favorite band...celestial hymns soaring in an open-air glass cathedral as a mighty winter storm whirls around you...all these decades, they still take my frosty breath away

Now spinning at my house, an out-of-print curio by the God of Guitar: Nine To The Universe (1980) by Jimi Hendrix, an album of five lengthy improvised jams from Spring 1969, never intended for release...yet when jazz organ great Larry Young sits in, it's Jimi's fiery foray into jazz fusion

Last night's music-themed cocktail: Voïvod, named after the spectacular Québecois metal legends...made with bourbon, Fernet, bitters, fig purée and orange garnish...flavors as complex and kickass as this awesome band, it made me RRRÖÖÖAAARRR with glee... The Hollows, Somerville, Massachusetts, USA.

Now spinning for Rob Hirst, taken by pancreatic cancer at age 70: Red Sails In The Sunset (1984) by Midnight Oil, all fierce rock and righteous lyrics...Hirst was the Oils' drummer, a chief songwriter, a force of nature in concert, pounding away on his corrugated water tank...a good spirit gone now

birches, snowfall knox county, maine 238pm sat 17 jan 2026

Wild turkey tracks. Knox County, Maine. 233pm Sat 17 Jan 2026

Now spinning at my house, music of intensely cosmic heat for a day of intensely cold winds: Universal Consciousness (1971) by Alice Coltrane, who plays soaring free jazz solos on organ and harp, backed by strings, tamboura, drums...both chaotic and serene, it's an album of unparalleled spirituality

Now spinning at my house, utterly immaculate electronica as dusk descends: In Colour (2015) and In Waves (2024), both by Jamie xx...two brilliant albums of bangers evoking everything from house to dubstep to Balearic, but with haunting melodies vocals and samples interlaced over the monstrous beats

Now spinning at my house, an all-time great NYC band: A South Bronx Story by ESG, a double-LP compilation of early-1980s tracks by this group anchored by the four Scroggins sisters, who have such a unique sparse take on postpunk-funk that is relentlessly bouncy and catchy...I just can't get enough!

I am so enjoying Mark Ronson's memoir, Night People, about growing up in NYC and becoming a 1990s club DJ. I particularly love this passage where a single he produced is being pressed onto an acetate. Here you feel how music is not just a sonic art, but an invaluable object passed down through time.

Now spinning at my house, oh what a uniquely kickass album: Supernature (2005) by Goldfrapp, wherein this electronic duo melds glam rock grooves and swagger, the relentless pulse of icy electrofunk, and sexy crystalline vocals that coo out killer synthpop melodies...it's genius and addictive!

Now spinning at my house, perfect for a Sunday afternoon: Best Of Billy Paul (1979) by Billy Paul, a double-LP collection of lush Philly soul, much of it produced by the legendary Gamble & Huff, with Billy Paul's voice ranging from smooth silk to warm intimacy to powerhouse balladry...flawless

Now spinning at my house, even if it's still Friday morning: Friday Afternoon In The Universe (1995) by Medeski Martin & Wood, a landmark release for this masterful jazz trio of keys/bass/drums...veering from monster grooves to free interludes to blissful jams that reach the stars, it's wondrous

In A Silent Way/It's About That Time. Boston, Massachusetts. 752am Tues 6 Jan 2026

Ice storm. White Mountains, New Hampshire. 926am Mon 29 Dec 2025

The Holiday Pops concert is totally metal, every single year. Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts. 245pm Mon 22 Dec 2025

Among all the photos of my parents together, this one may be my favorite. Taken the summer before they got married. Woodmont Beach, Milford, Connecticut. Summer 1965

Now spinning at my house, because it's my mom's birthday today, and this band was the earliest concert I remember attending: A THREAD Grupo Moncada (1978) by Grupo Moncada, who in 1978 were Cuba's first musical group to tour the USA since that country's 1959 revolution...

Now spinning at my house, a lost 1990s gold nugget that should be unearthed by any rock fan: 99th Dream (1998) by Swervedriver...barely released back then, this verges from heavy riffs to dreamy psychedelia, all with big guitars and an unerring gift for anthemic melodies...just a wonderful album!

Now spinning at my house on a bright Tuesday, where we've sent out a Bat-Signal for the funk! Batman: Motion Picture Soundtrack (1989) may not be my favorite Prince album, but I was thrilled to find it used on vinyl...with taut & relentless grooves and vast & lush slow jams, it's just great fun

Now spinning at my house, an all-time reggae classic to warm up the midweek: Two Sevens Clash (1977) by Culture, a soulful offering from this spiritual vocal trio, with the great producer Joe Gibbs & an all-star band: Sly & Robbie, Skatalites Vin Gordon & Tommy McCook, percussionist Sticky etc. 💗🔥💗

Tonight's drive: Boston to Maine. Soundtracks: The Dance (1997) by Fleetwood Mac; The Hissing Of Summer Lawns (1975) and Hejira (1976) by Joni Mitchell. Even as New England snow glows through the trees and the temperature drops to 1°F/-17°C, these Southern California albums keep us warm in the car

Now spinning at my house, musique parfaite pour un vendredi après-midi: Premiers Symptomes (1997) by Air, an EP collecting their early singles like "Modular Mix" and "Casanova 70"...here these French electro legends are so blissfully dreamy & cinematic, so you could eat the vibe with a warm spoon

Now spinning at my house, one of the greatest-ever debut albums: The Lion And The Cobra (1987) by Sinéad O'Connor...9 songs of rich & intense power, ranging from the mystic to the carnal to the symphonic, & her voice! So unique, with an astonishing range of pitch & tone...she was just 20 years old

Now spinning at my house, now that yesterday's miserable nor'easter has moved on and yielded to a bright sunny day: Thembi (1971) by Pharoah Sanders, a landmark of spiritual jazz that soars with mesmerizing grooves and cosmic freedom...it's astonishingly beautiful, invigorating yet soothing

Now spinning at my house, where it's dark & freezing rain outside: Flute-In (1971) by Bobbi Humphrey...superb soul-jazz from this effervescent flautist, joined on some tracks by trumpeter icon Lee Morgan & tunes by Bill Withers, Carole King + "Spanish Harlem"...such cozy joy on a cold crap night

crushed crystal morning concord, massachusetts 12n tues 2 dec 2025

Li'l Rhody rock 'n' roll. The Met, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. 826pm Fri 28 Nov 2025

Now spinning...Happy Thanksgiving to all! Music Of My Mind (1972) by Stevie Wonder...I'm thankful to my family as I love them so, I'm thankful to my friends for being loyal & joyous, I'm thankful for Stevie Wonder because we all should be thankful for Stevie Wonder. They all made me who I am. 💗

Now spinning at my house, on Thanksgiving eve: Red Clay (1970) by Freddie Hubbard, an early jazz fusion classic of smoky sinuous soul...I'm thankful today for 1970s jazz fusion, as the best of it has expanded my heart and mind for all my life, and I'm thankful that 33⅓ Books let me write about it!

Gold dust woman. Stevie Nicks, TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. 922pm Mon 24 Nov 2025

Now spinning at my house, a dark horse favorite album: Savage (1987) by Eurythmics: 12 eclectic songs, delivered encased in ice-cold new wave synthpop, with Annie Lennox's voice at its most versatile...neither a big hit nor critically acclaimed, Savage is still a neglected masterwork that I love...

Now spinning at my house, as my daughter & I are seeing her in concert tonight! Bella Donna (1981) and Wild At Heart (1983) by Stevie Nicks, my daughter's musical hero, so much so that she has chosen to learn Fleetwood Mac's "Silver Springs" in her school vocal class...these solo LPs are also tops!

saturday night, hanover street north end, boston, massachusetts 743pm sat 22 nov 2025

Now spinning at my house, for Gary "Mani" Mounfield, who has passed away at 63: Turns Into Stone (1992) by The Stone Roses, full of non-album singles such as 10 massive minutes of "Fools Gold" anchored by Mani's mountainous bass grooves that he would later bring to Primal Scream...he was a master 🙏

Now spinning at my house, an album as brilliant as sun shining down NYC avenues: Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968) by Laura Nyro, wherein the pioneering singer-songwriter flows through Motown soul, Brill Building songcraft, jazz vibes, piano balladry...a warm joyous display of endless talent