Nashville Skyline, Self Portrait, and New Morning displayed Bob Dylan’s willingness to redirect his creative focus. The albums moved him closer to a sophisticated brand of country music, with his social criticism taking a back seat to a journey through the American South. With The Band at his side in…

Bob Dylan was the most influential artist of the 1960s. While the Beatles redefined what was possible within the context of a band whose producer served as a fifth member, Dylan’s compositions (and his performances of them) were easily accessible for singers accompanying themselves with only an acoustic guitar. As…

Shifts in the recording industry have paralleled changes in Marcus Singletary’s life. But his atypical musical style continues to deviate from expectation. Icons like Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren, and Prince were once praised for their ability to play several instruments. Today, such talents have become commonplace, giving musicians ample opportunities…

Most of Elvis Presley’s songs were written by other people and, today, he is best known as a movie star from a bygone era. In what seemed an idyllic life to outsiders, the only self-controlled aspect of his existence was his musical repertoire. …

Steely Dan’s music contains various elements, but always rests upon the songwriting efforts of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, the composers of iconic chestnuts such as “Do it Again,” “Reelin’ In the Years,” and “Hey Nineteen.” “Kid Charlemagne” and “Peg” still provide nearly insurmountable challenges for aspiring musicians, and their…

Artificial intelligence is here to stay. It helps compartmentalize people’s efforts, experiences, and lives. In the context of digital audio workstations and the recording industry, it is yet another advance that allows anyone of any skill level the chance to enter the world of creative freedom. But between artificial intelligence…

When listening to Thin Lizzy’s studio albums, you will notice a swift progression from coy, psychedelic dissonance to a more straightforward, nuanced style that singles out frontman Phil Lynott’s husky pipes and wildman persona. His songwriting efforts merged rock and roll with elements of blues, country, folk, and R&B —…

Phil Manning began playing music back when the Fab Four were the kings of the road, and has been considered one of blues’ crown jewels ever since. In the age of Aquarius, he joined the progressive rock band Chain, whom he provided with searing fretwork that linked familiar inspirations (his…

Most interesting, within the patchouli-filled dance halls of the late-Sixties, was the audience’s hunger for challenging, improvisational music. L.A. had the Doors, New Yorkers were mystified by the Velvet Underground, and San Francisco became the capital of the youth movement’s revolution, as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and similar groups…