‘Be Good To Yourself’ Lends A Helping Hand To Artists In Need
Through the power of rock ‘n’ roll, 60 North Carolina musicians band together to shine a light on mental health with the compilation, Be Good to Yourself.
Michael Elliott
Michael Elliott is a freelance writer and contributor to a variety of publications. He is also the author of 'Have A Little Faith: The John Hiatt Story', published in 2021 by Chicago Review Press. Michael grew up with music all around and learned to love it all, regardless of genre. He started in radio as a disc jockey at 16 and spent close to 30 years in the business as Program Director, Operations Manager, and Creative Director for a variety of stations. Michael is also a proud father, husband, and cat person.
Gov’t Mule’s ‘Heavy Load Blues’ Will Lighten Your Burden
Heavy jam legends Gov’t Mule lay bare their roots on Heavy Load Blues, resulting in one of the most satisfying albums of the year.
James McMurtry Plugs Back in For ‘The Horses and the Hounds’
Texas singer-songwriter James McMurtry signs with New West and gives us The Horses and the Hounds awash in loud guitars and unparalleled storytelling.
‘Rip It Up: The Best of Specialty Records’ Makes the Case for Being Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Ground Zero
Art Rupe’s little Hollywood label, Specialty Records celebrated Black culture’s boundless beauty, energy, joy, and excitement. It was also an originator of the rock ‘n’ roll sound.
Jackson Browne Proves He Has Plenty Left in the Tank on ‘Downhill From Everywhere’
Downhill From Everywhere finds legendary singer-songwriter Jackson Browne still searching for something new in familiar yet comforting ways.
kd lang Resurrects ’90s Club Culture on ‘Makeover’
On Makeover, kd lang revisits some of her most-loved tracks in their classic club remix form and sets the tone for a pride-filled summer.
Jack Cornell Takes His Turn at Bat on ‘One in Wins’
It took over 40 years, but One in Wins finally places the Fabulous Knobs' Jack Cornell center-stage, and it was well worth the wait.
‘Step It Up and Go’ Gives North Carolina Music Its Dues
David Menconi's Step It Up is an absorbing love letter to the artists, scenes, and sounds of North Carolina's contributions to American popular music.
The Rolling Stones Dance With Decadence on ‘Goats Head Soup’
Almost 50 years on, the rock star excess on display on the Rolling Stones' Goats Head Soup still resonates.
The Chefs Serve Up a Wordless, Rockin’ Good Time on ‘Heated & Treated’
As the Chefs, a former Georgia Satellite and a former Heartbreaker cook up a full platter of the tasty instrumentals on Heated & Treated.
H.C. McEntire Delivers Her Masterpiece with ‘Eno Axis’
Born in isolation not so much by outside mandate as by natural inspiration, H.C. McEntire's Eno Axis is a masterwork of deep, spiritual escapism.
Steve Earle Finds Common Ground With ‘Ghosts of West Virginia’
On Ghosts of West Virginia, Steve Earle chronicles the lives, hopes, dreams, and regrets of families who've lived for generations in coal country with a masterful song cycle that's long on empathy and short on judgment.