California

California


  • A History of Hard and Heavy, Ep 2: Iron Butterfly, Jeff Beck, The Beatles

    In this episode, writer and self-taught musicologist Claude Lemaire chooses Iron Butterfly, Jeff Beck, and even the Beatles as pioneering heavy rock influencers.

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  • And Just Like Thatโ€”A Complete Reset to My Digital Streaming System!

    Tom Gibbs reveals how Euphonyโ€™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.

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  • Titanicโ€™s Musicians Knew

    Writer B. Jan Montanaโ€™s childhood awe of the Titanicโ€™s selfless musicians sparks lifelong reflections on life, mortality, and religion, ultimately embracing joy over rigid dogma.

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  • Sidney Harman: A Harmony of Innovation and Mastery

    Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon revolutionized home audio in postwar America, merging business vision and engineering brilliance to create Harman Kardon. This short biography of Harman traces his journey from Signal Corps to stereo legend, civic leader, and cultural patron.

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  • Review: Hollywood Records’ 3-LP Queen Rocks Montreal

    Despite the generational fade of classic rock, Queen continues to thrive. With Queen Rock Montreal remastered in Dolby Atmos, the bandโ€™s epic 1981 performance reaffirms why Freddie Mercury and company still command global reverence.

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  • Compton’s Finest: N.W.A.’s Explosive Debut and Its Impact on Music and Society

    When N.W.A. released Straight Outta Compton on August 8, 1988, it marked a seismic shift in music, culture, and the way America viewed hip-hop. The album was a raw and unfiltered portrayal of life in the streets of South Central Los Angeles, delivered with an urgency and authenticity that had never been heard before. Not…

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  • Remembering John Mayall: His Final ‘Room to Move’ Performance

    John Mayallโ€™s last show took place on March 26, 2022, at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California. This performance marked the end of a remarkable 65-year touring career. During this final concert, Mayall, who was 88 years old, performed with his band, which included Greg Rzab on bass, Jay Davenport on drums, and…

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  • Guitar Flames and Fame: Jimi Hendrixโ€™s Explosive Monterey Debut

    On June 18, 1967, the Monterey Pop Festival bore witness to a performance that would become legendary in the annals of rock history. Jimi Hendrix, a relatively unknown guitarist at the time, took the stage and delivered a performance that catapulted him into superstardom and forever changed the landscape of rock music. This electrifying set,…

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  • Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson’s Unreleased 1983 Recording Sessions

    In the pantheon of rock and pop gods, few names resonate as powerfully as Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson. Now imagine, if you will, the sheer cosmic magnitude of these two titans crossing paths, not on a stage, but in the intimate confines of a recording studio. Yes, it happened. Freddie Mercury, the flamboyant frontman…

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  • Inside the Rolling Stones’ First US Tour

    The Rolling Stonesโ€™ inaugural U.S. tour in 1964 was a wild ride of rock โ€˜nโ€™ roll chaos and cultural clashes. Hereโ€™s a deeper dive into the anecdotes and adventures that marked this historic tour, setting the stage for the bandโ€™s legendary status. The Flight That Almost Didnโ€™t Happen Before the Stones could even set foot…

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  • Observations At T.H.E. Show 2024

    T.H.E. Show 2024 delivered standout momentsโ€”from AGDโ€™s immersive orchestral realism and Margulesโ€™s dynamic warmth to PBNโ€™s jaw-dropping power and finesse, which earned this yearโ€™s โ€œBest of Showโ€ nod from a well-sated reviewer.

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  • June 25: 25 Years Apart – The Legacies of Prince and Michael Jackson

    June 25 holds a special place in music history, marking both the release of an iconic album and the passing of a legendary artist. On this date in 1984, Prince released his groundbreaking album โ€œPurple Rain,โ€ a record that would redefine his career and solidify his place in the pantheon of music greats. Little did…

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  • Treasures from the Vinyl Vault, Part 6: Shelly Manne, Barney Kessel, Curtis Counce, Howard Rumsey, Art Pepper

    Welcome to my series Treasures from the Vinyl Vault. In it, I will feature select gems from my approximately 12,000 ever-growing vinyl collection, accumulated over a 45-year period and counting.

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  • Reviewed: Kamasi Washington’s Fearless Movement

    Kamasi Washingtonโ€™s Fearless Movement is a bold, rhythm-driven opus mixing jazz, funk, soul, and hip-hopโ€”but while its scope dazzles, its sheer scale raises questions about whether intimacy, not grandeur, is his next frontier.

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  • Seoul International Audio Show 2024

    From vintage Western Electric to modern marvels like YG Acoustics and MBL, the 2024 Seoul Audio Show dazzled with sonic spectacle and local flairโ€”proving South Koreaโ€™s audiophile scene is booming and deeply passionate.

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