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In the scorching desert of Death Valley in 1958, Art Kane, then a relatively unknown photographer, found himself tasked with capturing Louis Armstrong in a way the world had never seen. At that moment, Armstrong wasn’t just a jazz legend—he was one of the most recognizable figures in global pop culture, thanks to hits like…
In this episode, writer and self-taught musicologist Claude Lemaire chooses Iron Butterfly, Jeff Beck, and even the Beatles as pioneering heavy rock influencers.
In the late 1930s, when Hollywood was still refining synchronized sound, Walt Disney had an audacious idea. He wanted to create an animated film that not only brought classical music to the masses but did so in a way that allowed audiences to feel like they were immersed in the music itself. Enter Fantasia—a revolutionary…
Tom Gibbs reveals how Euphony’s new software and a top-notch DAC took his music system to stunning new heights, with sound so real it feels like a live concert.
Rudy Radelic digs into vintage rock, blues, and jazz, spotlighting reissues with stellar mastering, hard-to-find rarities, and standout titles cherished by collectors.
The Vinyl Beat digs up notable vinyl nuggets like INXS’s “Kick” 45 RPM reissue, Sheila E’s salsa debut, and Rachel Z’s introspective jazz trio recording.
The ported, two-way, CA$ 6000/pair standmount Yamaha NS-800A oozes quality—it’s hefty, feels impeccably built, has a curvaceous body, and comes with big, robust binding posts that feel like iron door knockers between your fingers. It also comes in a beautiful black finish, said by Yamaha to be the same signature gloss finish used on the…
The Sinister Symphony of the Aztec Death Whistle In the pantheon of historical artifacts that both fascinate and frighten, few can match the eerie allure of the Aztec death whistle. Often misunderstood and underestimated, this small, skull-shaped instrument was a marvel of ancient sound engineering, capable of emitting a scream that could freeze the blood…
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, July 6, 1957, in the quaint setting of St. Peter’s Parish Church in Woolton, Liverpool, a musical phenomenon was about to be set in motion. John Lennon, a 16-year-old with a rebellious streak and a love for rock ‘n’ roll, was performing with his skiffle group, The Quarry Men, at…
Photos by Robert Schryer except where otherwise indicated. I’d never listened to the WATT/Puppy speaker before, but, of course, as an audiophile, I’d heard of it, although not in the last few years, the reason for which will be revealed in a moment. But I always wanted to hear it, so having been offered the…
June 10, 1972, was no ordinary day at Madison Square Garden. The hallowed halls, famous for hosting legendary sports battles and unforgettable music performances, were about to witness another momentous event. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, was back in New York City for the first time since the ’50s. This wasn’t just…
On June 5, 1956, Elvis Presley stepped onto the stage of The Milton Berle Show, ready to perform his latest single, “Hound Dog.” Little did anyone know, this performance would become one of the most talked-about moments in television history and a defining point in the evolution of rock and roll. Presley, already a rising…
Frank Doris interviews Nick Getz, son of sax legend Stan Getz, and Abey Fonn of Impex Records, about the new Getz/Gilberto LP reissue of the bossa nova classic.
On this day in history, the tapestry of modern music was forever altered by a seismic shift that sent ripples through the realm of pop culture and beyond. April 10, 1970, stands as a cornerstone moment, not just in rock ‘n’ roll lore but in the annals of artistic endeavors at large. It was on…
And what you can do about it.