On the same week that heavy prog-rockers Tool scored the No. 1 album in the country, it was great to see Jack White let down his wavy black hair, smile a bunch, and kick out the jams with hi…
If there is any theme that runs throughout the story of Roger Daltrey's life as he tells it, it's that he has always needed more money to " as he so folksily puts it " "pay the bills." The p…
Carolyn Michel's Rose is the sociable stranger on the bus who tempts you to miss your stop so you can hear her out to the end. The post Theater Review: "Rose" " A Well-Acted Excursion in Sto…
The Waterboys has always existed as Mike Scott's vehicle for his egalitarian musical vision. The post Music Preview: The Waterboys Bring the Action to Boston and Northampton appeared first o…
Nell Zink's latest novel is vast, aspiring to epic stature " it's a curious take on the times that have befallen us. The post Book Review: Nell Zink's "Doxology" " Not Eccentric Enough? …
Any traditional notions of what does, or does not, constitute a book are challenged here -- you will find yourself searching for a definition that fits. The post Visual Arts Review: "Bookwo…
Heard as a Miles Davis record pure and simple, Rubberband is one of the strongest from the comeback period. The post Jazz CD Review: Miles Davis's "Rubberband" " Stretch Your Ears appeared f…
Looking at that photo now, soon after the anniversary of her death, Aretha's shutter-snap of connection with me seems a blessing. The post Arts Feature: When Aretha Franklin Snapped Me a…
Class pressures are exerting themselves, class fault-lines are emerging, and ancient demons are being released as a result. The post Book Commentary: "Dying of Whiteness" " What Rough Beast …
Octave is issuing ten sessions ("newly restored and expanded") of Erroll Garner material from the '60s and '70s, when the popular pianist was at the height of his career. The post Jazz CD Re…
Arts Fuse critics select the best in film, dance, visual art, theater, music, and author events for the coming weeks. The post Coming Attractions: September 8 through 24 " What Will Light Yo…
For me, about half of the compositions here successfully reflect the artistic visions of the painters that inspired the music. The post Jazz Recording Review: "Jazz and Art" " Paying Musical…
The book deals with how Atheists, Wiccans, Summums, Muslims, and Satanists "fought to have their voices heard" in communities dominated by Christians and others who were skeptical of their c…
Satanic Panic is a crazy ride, managing along the way to poke fun at the lifestyles of the rich and bored, reminding us that decadence among the upper classes is very scary indeed. The post …
In a taut 90 minutes, The Lifespan of a Fact zeroes in on some key issues that we're grappling with as a country -- or ought to be. The post Theater Review: "The Lifespan of a Fact" " Truth …
For anyone interested in the man or that era, De Gaulle is indispensable. The post Book Review: "De Gaulle" " An Exemplary View of the Man and His Times appeared first on The Arts Fuse.
Blue World is valuable for its pellucid recording of takes of tunes Coltrane's fans already love. They will have to have it. The post Jazz CD Review: A "Lost" John Coltrane Recording " "Blue…
His songs have been recorded by the likes of Bonnie Raitt and Diana Krall. For many, his rank -- just short of superstardom -- remains a mystery. He's just too good to be less than a househo…
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston is giving this nostalgic hokum a spirited production. The post Theater Review: "Little Shop of Horrors" " A Fun Romp with an Appetite for Blood appeared fir…
Johnny Hodges was originally a Cambridge/Boston guy, and one of the most interesting sections of Con Chapman biography is his knowledgeable description of the local jazz scene in the 1910's …
Fear Inoculum is not a bad album. It's not a great album either, and Tool has made some great albums. The post Rock Album Review: Tool's "Fear Inoculum" "No Surprises appeared first on The A…
We are definitely feeling a sense of Buddy haunting us, to be sure. I mean, this theater is the place he visited. He attended many, if not most, of the shows here. The post Theater Preview: …
Jethro Tull founder Ian Anderson brings the group's classics to Medford's Chevalier Theatre on September 11. The post Music Interview: No Way To Slow Down " Ian Anderson Marks 50 Years of J…
I've compiled a list of twelve concerts (or concert series) that I think will stand among the future season's highlights. The post Arts Commentary: 2019-20 Classical Music Preview appeared f…
The last half-hour or so of any Mavericks concert is usually just about the happiest place to be on the planet. The post Music Concert Review: The Mavericks at 30 " Digging into the Songboo…