By 1968 Dusty Springfield’s career had stalled. Then she signed with Atlantic Records and released the classic Dusty in Memphis.
Ken Shane
830 Articles
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
The life of Linda Jones was cut short far too soon, but she left behind some of the most powerful performances in the history of soul music.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1966 the stunning voice of Tim Buckley emerged. Rhino Handmade has reissued his debut album, along with the early Buckley music that preceded it.
Ken Shane
2 Min Read
Whether he was atoning for racial intolerant comments or simply following his muse, Elvis Costello’s 1980 album “Get Happy” remains among his finest efforts.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1956 the Dells struck gold with their hit “Oh, What a Night.” Thirteen years later they recorded it again, and it made them stars.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1964, Bessie Banks released the great soul ballad “Go Now.” Before her version had a chance to climb the charts, the Moody Blues had it covered in a big way.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
We’ve come to expect reissue brilliance from Rhino Handmade. Their new Percy Sledge release is no exception. One lucky reader has a chance to win a copy.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
With a new manager hired to make the Beach Boys back relevant again, the band’s 1971 album “Surf’s Up” proved to be a powerful artistic statement.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1967, Stevie Wonder co-wrote a classic song of romantic longing, but it remained largely unknown until the Queen of Soul released her smash cover in 1973.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Leave it to the enigmatic Ryan Adams to release one of the year’s best albums after most year-end lists are already put to bed.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In case you missed the sly double entendre in John Lennon’s lyrics for “Come Together,” Ike & Tina Turner released their own version to drive the point home.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Back in September, I wrote about the Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses album Junky Star. I think it’s fair to call my review a rave. To quote, you know,…
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Sly & the Family Stone released their breakthrough album in May 1969. This week Ken Shane fondly remembers the album’s title track.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
The latest entry in the esteemed PBS series American Masters covers the post-Beatles years that John Lennon spent living in New York City.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In the true spirit of what the holiday has become, Ken Shane serves up a musical feast full of Thanksgiving flavor.
Rob Smith
1 Min Read
Rob Smith gives thanks for his friends, readers, and Foreigner’s “Waiting for a Girl Like You.”
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
You’ve heard about her on our Twitter stream. You’ve wondered what all the fuss was about. Amy Petty’s new album has been released, and it’s time to find out.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
The 1972 blaxploitation film “Across 110 Street” has been largely forgotten, but Bobby Womack’s indelible title song lives on.
Ken Shane
3 Min Read
In 1966 the Young Rascals rocked the world with their #1 hit “Good Lovin’.” The single spurred their debut album into the upper reaches of the charts.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1966 the legendary songwriter/producer Jerry Ragovoy found himself with a full orchestra and free studio time. He certainly made the most of it.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Daniel Lanois is well known as a brilliant producer. His band Black Dub has released their debut album and Ken Shane thinks it’s one of the highlights of 2010.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
To make up for the inexcusable absence of the King of Soul from his Soul Serenade column, Ken Shane offers up a double shot of James Brown.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
The classic lineup of the Blues Project, led by Al Kooper and Steve Katz, made just one studio album. Fortunately, that album was the ’60s classic “Projections.”
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
When General Norman Johnson died on Oct. 13, the world of soul music suffered another incalculable loss. Ken Shane remembers the great singer.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1982 Richard and Linda Thompson released what some saw as a devastating breakup album. The truth is complicated. A brilliant reissue gets to the heart of it.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Philadelphia’s War On Drugs follows up their 2008 album “Wagonwheel Blues” with an EP that defies that conventions of that format.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
This Sunday, PBS Masterpiece Mystery unveils a new “Sherlock” for our time. Does this modern detective retain the flavor of the original? Ken Shane finds out.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Occasionally there is an event in the music world that transcends the mundane. The release of Bob Dylan’s publishing demos from the early ’60s is such an event.