General

I was exploring the vast holdings of my digital music empire and came across quite a few songs named C.C. Rider, See See Rider, Easy Rider Blues, I Know You Rider… basically, several variations [...]

I think I grew up in the wrong era. Toss me in a time machine and set it for 1946, Central Avenue, Los Angeles… and give me some greenbacks too, because I’ll need a sharp zoot suit with a [...]

At RCR, we recognize that our loyal readers aren’t here simply to honor the deceased. Occasionally you expect us to plow through a stack of new releases and offer a few recommendations for your [...]

I’ve spent quite a bit of time on this site complaining about contemporary Nashville country (for example, here and here). And just when I decide to finally leave it alone, a massive brawl breaks [...]

Let’s revisit one of our first posts, from October 2009 (Bo Diddley passed away the previous year at the age of 79). He signed his name “The Bo” and was referred to by The New [...]

Is there a more perfect hybrid in American music than Memphis Soul? Give me a hard-driving rhythm section, throw in some screaming horns and a sanctified gospel singer, add some tasty blues [...]

OK, at this point you’re probably thinking, “Yet another post about an unsung and predictably deceased guitar hero? Why can’t you just tell me what’s going on with the Kardashians?” In response [...]

I don’t think I can shed any new light on the legacy of John Coltrane. But I can answer the question, how did a white, middle-class kid from Akron – a 12-year veteran of parochial schooling – get [...]

I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong. Screwed something up back in ’82 and took full responsibility for it – by blaming the guy who gave me bad information. So now I’m back on the hot [...]

Bass players need a little love. At least that’s what I heard from our friend Rene Villanueva (in foreground at right), bassist for the mighty fine San Antonio-based rock ‘n soul band Hacienda [...]

SOUL! See you kids TONIGHT… Did YOU work on your BOOGALOO? It’s a Mashed-Potato, DO the ALLIGATOR, Summertime NORTHERN SOUL Dance CRAZE, and the kids are going NUTS! Another invitation to [...]

RCR takes a fond look back at Cincinnati-based Fraternity Records and an evening spent with its star performer, the amazing Lonnie Mack.

Here’s a re-post from 2009 that looks back at one of America’s greatest independent labels, Cincinnati’s King Records. Its huge catalog includes seminal recordings by some of the most [...]

I must be wired to read these “10/50/100 Greatest _______ of All Time” lists, almost as a form of self-torture. They seem to exist for the sole purpose of pissing me off, because I’ve never come [...]

I won’t pretend to offer the definitive word on J.J. Cale, who passed away on July 26. After the first reports of his death were verified the following day (one popular website initially called [...]

RCR has added tens and tens of readers since we first posted this in 2009. Here’s a re-post for those of you who missed it. Brother James is a fine-art photographer based in St. Augustine, [...]

It’s hard to come up with a better sponsorship deal than the one The Black Keys struck with a little league baseball team in Akron – The Orioles. For you marketing geniuses out there, it went [...]

It’s Slim Harpo Month over at WFMU’s Rock & Soul Ichiban… Seems like a good excuse to pick up where we left off with this post, which sang the praises of Harpo, Lonesome Sundown, Lightnin’ [...]

Bill Withers celebrates his 75th birthday today… Here’s a re-post in his honor. I was trolling through the vast wasteland that is cable TV (one of those many “500+ stations and [...]

Has mainstream country music ever been any worse than it is right now? Probably, but I just can’t take another Eagles tribute band playing some lame-ass ode to the Bubba lifestyle. Sorry, I [...]

There’s nothing even remotely hip about Delbert McClinton. No edgy beats cooked up by some tragic-looking DJ. No soul-baring confessionals or angry throwdowns to ex-lovers. No political screeds. [...]