I usually have a song taking up primary residence in my head. These days, it's "Circle," the Miles Davis song from 1967's Miles Smiles. As I said in my last post, I've been a little obsessed with Miles Smiles for a while now. The first three tracks are particularly addictive for me, and "Circle" might … Continue reading Circle
Tag: reviews
Miles Behind
My brother and I were chatting about Miles Davis yesterday. I told him (my brother, not Miles) that if he ever finds a good copy of Miles Smiles on vinyl, he should buy it for me. I think I also told him I'd pay one million dollars for it. Part of the conversation revolved around … Continue reading Miles Behind
RRR007: “Sweet Rain” // Stan Getz
On a night frozen through, bitter and solid, I listen to an album called Sweet Rain. It is what its title promises, the sounds of sweetness mixed with rain, happiness contained in flying, stinging droplets of water. Like water, happiness takes on the shape of its container. Like water, it flows according to physical laws … Continue reading RRR007: “Sweet Rain” // Stan Getz
RRR005: “Coltrane” // John Coltrane Quartet
TL;DR = Coltrane and fire pair well. It was September of 2024, so a few months ago. I was having a bad time in my head. My wife generously suggested I spend a weekend at the family cabin in the great Northwoods of Wisconsin. After making sure no one else had reserved the place for … Continue reading RRR005: “Coltrane” // John Coltrane Quartet
RRR003: “Here To Stay” // Freddie Hubbard
Blue Note kicked off its 2025 Classic Vinyl Reissue series this month with two titles, and I'm proud to say I own them both. "Big spender!" you say. "No," I say. More like, "Big seller." That's right, I finally broke down and sold my original pressing of Soundgarden's Superunknown. I vividly remember purchasing that record … Continue reading RRR003: “Here To Stay” // Freddie Hubbard
RRR002: “Speak No Evil” // Wayne Shorter
Merry Christmas Eve, jazz lovers. I should just say Merry Christmas Eve, Charlie Brawner, as he’s the only person who even might be reading this. And he's a jazz lover. So consider that a successful venn diagram situation right there. I used to proudly proclaim Speak No Evil the third best jazz record of all … Continue reading RRR002: “Speak No Evil” // Wayne Shorter
On Bill Evans, Part 1
When I’m deep in the Bill Evans zone (let’s say late at night, earbuds in, lying next to my toddler who’s just fallen asleep in his bottom bunk, his orange night light creating a distinct vibe), I’m hypnotized by the way one chord melts into the next, as though I’m being led through some magical … Continue reading On Bill Evans, Part 1
RRR001: “Gateway” // John Abercrombie, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette
The Owl Head Shoe Horn would like to warmly—but not too warmly—welcome you to a brand new and long-awaited-by-absolutely-no-one feature: Random Record Reviews. When I attended college, back around the time of the Magna Carta, I wrote record reviews for the student newspaper. I just about got myself killed. In my mind I was calling … Continue reading RRR001: “Gateway” // John Abercrombie, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette
THE OWL HEAD SHOE HORN 