Typically this is a pretty slow time here at the B&V labs. I usually post my “Best of” list (2023’s here), and take it easy until the New Year dawns. I’ve spent my holidays largely listening to Peter Gabriel’s new album and revisiting the Black Crowes’ masterpiece Southern Harmony & Musical Companion (Deluxe). I figured…
I can’t believe the Earth has made another journey around the sun and it’s already December and time for our annual, year-end, “Best Of” lists. It seems just like yesterday I was sitting around the B&V labs, dreading January – which thankfully wasn’t dry this year – researching music from 1973 for a playlist. When…
The Black Crowes have just released a box set for their landmark second album – and how many second albums can we say that about, that it’s a classic? – Southern Harmony And Musical Companion. The box is modeled much the same way as the Shake Your Money Maker – 30th Anniversary box from a…
“I have so much left to give…” Peter Gabriel, “So Much” It’s hard to believe that Peter Gabriel, erstwhile lead singer of Genesis, waited 21 years to release his follow up to 2002’s Us. I was going to joke that this was his Hackney Diamonds and ask who does this guy think he is, a…
I had the distinct displeasure this week of having to deal with an issue with the county I live in. As fate would have it, I couldn’t resolve the issue on-line like civilized societies do. I had to drive over to an old, historic courthouse on the east side of town where I spent more…