Author: Spoke

I just finished this book…all 444 pages of it. While the story was fascinating, I must say that I found the book rather boring. It was written in the form of a scholarly text book. I guess at this point of my life when I […]

Kingdom of Rust Doves 2009 All too often critics use the phrase “tour de force” to describe an artistic effort. In the case of this latest disc from the British trio Doves, a more applicable phrase could not be found. Kingdom of Rust is loud […]

I really wanted to love the latest disc from U2. They occupy a certain place in my heart and always will because of how I basically grew up with the band. It was the winter of 1982 when I went in to the lunch room […]

Middle Cyclone Neko Case With her latest release, Neko Case proves again why she is worthy of being mentioned with the most important musical artists of her generation. Catchy pop tunes, jangling guitars, perfectly placed supporting vocals, a solid backing band, a multi textured wall […]

Little Honey Lucinda Williams 2008 Lucinda Williams the perfectionist has been replaced by Lucinda Williams the dynamic yet slightly inconsistent performer. This isn’t meant as a slight in the least. Considering she only released four albums the first 20 years of her career and then […]

I feel like I’m cheating. Don’t get me wrong, I love music as much as the next person, but when I’m settling in for a long solo drive the best way to pass the miles is with a good audio CD of a published book. […]

My life with the Grateful Dead By Phil Lesh Pittsburgh Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA (7/6/87) Feel Like a Stranger Franklin’s Tower New Minglewood Blues Row Jimmy Mama Tried Big River Far From Me Stagger Lee Desolation Row Don’t Ease Me In Shakedown Street Samson and […]

Mountain Bike! William Neally I got into mountain biking about the same time William Neally released Mountain Bike! It was the early 90’s and rigid forks, 18 speed bikes, top mount shifters and pedals with toe clips were what we used. Many would say it […]

Easy Tiger Ryan Adams The only territory broken by Ryan Adams with his Easy Tiger release is that he has decided to put out a finished, solid effort. Don’t misunderstand, Adams will end up as one of the most important artists of his generation, but […]

The Jungle Upton Sinclair I’ve always been fascinated with early 20th century history. Part of it may come from the fact that I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and still reside in the far eastern suburbs of the city. Industrial giants like Frick, Mellon […]