Queens Reviewed in LA Times

The Los Angeles Times posted a smart review of Queens of Noise today, with a LOL line about Kim Fowley, and some well-placed criticism. Will someone in LA please save me a copy?

Jack White’s New Stripe

Only an artist of Jack White’s caliber would draw me out of my summer semi-seclusion in the Michigan woods. We had a rambling, philosophical conversation.

via With ‘Blunderbuss,’ Jack White aims for new beginning as soloist – latimes.com.

Best Bruce Ever?

I first saw Bruce 31 years ago in Chicago. I’ve seen him every tour since, except the last one. Last night’s may have been the best show I have ever seen him do — except for maybe that transcendent Jazz Fest experience post Katrina. Let’s put it this way: Tom Morello, on “The Ghost of Tom Joad.” The guitar will never be the same. My humble review:

Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Sports Arena – latimes.com.

via Best Bruce Ever?.

Carole King, Naturally?

Carole King wrote or co-wrote some of the best songs of all times. Her Tapestry album remains the Diamond apotheosis of California singer-songwriter pop. And she achieved all this while also becoming a teenage parent. In her new memoir, A Natural Woman, she describes what it was like to work in a hit factory, and how decades later, she survived spousal abuse. I reviewed it for the LA Times.

Gaiman and Palmer: the alt power couple

Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer kick-start their tour – latimes.com.

The paper made a mistake; the tour is not sold out. I’m trying to get out of trick or treating myself to see the Coraline author and Dresden Doll at the Wilshire Ebell.

Thievery and Fitz

Thievery Corporation and Fitz and the Tantrums: Grooves versus songs. My LA Times review.

Vanessa Paradis by the Orpheum Light

I meant to mention the influence of bossa nova in my review of Vanessa Paradis’s show at the Orpheum Friday night. The concert reminded me of the spell-casting fusion that Bebel Gilberto tries to cast in her shows. But Bebel is such a bleating bore. Paradis was, as one of the comments on my review says, “pure beauty.” I don’t know who I’m more jealous of: her or Johnny Depp.