The Long Ryders

 

Artist:  The Long Ryders
Origin:  Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre:  Country Rock, Jangle Pop, Alternative Country, Cowpunk, Roots Rock, College Rock, Paisley Underground

Original line-up:

Sid Griffin:  Vocals, Guitar, Autoharp, Bugle
Stephen McCarthy:  Guitar, Steel Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo
Des Brewer:  Bass
Greg Sowders:  Drums, Percussion

Classic line-up:

Sid Griffin:  Vocals, Guitar, Autoharp, Bugle
Stephen McCarthy:  Guitar, Steel Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo
Tom Stevens:  Bass
Greg Sowders:  Drums, Percussion

The Long Ryders Are an American Alternative Country and Paisley Underground Band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1983 by Sid Griffin (Vocals, Guitar), Stephen McCarthy (Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo), Des Brewer (Bass), later replaced by Tom Stevens, and Greg Sowders (Drums).  The band were powerfully influenced of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Buffalo Springfield.  Originally associated with a movement called the Paisley Underground, with a sound of Rubber Soul-Era Beatles, Electric Bob Dylan, Buffalo Springfield and The Flying Burrito Brothers.  The band's sound like The Dream Syndicate, The Rain Parade, Green On Red and R.E.M.

Title:  High Noon Hymns (2026)

Genre:  Country Rock, Jangle Pop, Alternative Country, Cowpunk, Roots Rock, College Rock, Paisley Underground

Label:  Cherry Red Records

Rating:   ****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Four Winters Away (2:32)

 2.  World Without Fear (5:01)

 3.  Stand A Little further In The Fire (3:41)

 4.  Ramona (2:45)

 5.  (How How How) How Do You Wanna Be Loved? (2:54)

 6.  Knoxville On The Line (3:52)

 7.  A Hymn For The City Of Angels (5:15)

 8.  Down To The Well (4:02)

 9.  Wanted Man In Arkansas (4:00)

10. A Belief In Birds (3:30)

11. Rain In Your Eyes (3:33)

12. Say Goodbye To Crying (4:57)

13. Forever Young (4:38)

Personnel:

Sid Griffin:  Vocals, Electric 6 & 12 String Guitars, Acoustic & String Guitars, Mandolin, Harmonica, Banjo, Clawhammer

Stephen McCarthy:  Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic 6 & 12 String Guitars, Banjo, Bass, Dobro, Vibes n Track 8

Greg Sowders:  Drums, Percussion

Additional Musicians:

Murry Hammond:    Bass, Vocals

DJ Bonebrake:  Vibraphone on Track 7

Wyatt Ellid:  Mandolin on Track 13

Ben Moore:  Keyboards on Track 11

Alexandra Spalding:  Harmony Vocals on Track 8

Tom Stevens:  Guitar on Track 8 (recorded prior to his passing in 2021)

Ed Staslum:  Keyboards, Harmonium on multiple tracks

High Noon Hymns is the 2026 album by The Long Ryders, released on March13, 2026 by Cherry Red Records, featuring  Musicians:  Ed Staslum (Producer and Engineer for The Ramones), Murry Hammond (of Old 97's), DJ Bonebrake (of X), and more!.

Thelonious Monk

 

Artist:  Thelonious Monk

Birth Name:  Thelonious Sphere Monk

Born:  October 10, 1917.  Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA

Died:  February 17, 1982 (Aged 64).  Englewood, New Jersey, USA

Genre:  Jazz, Cool Jazz, Bebop, Hard Bop, Post  Bop, Jazz Instrument, Piano Jazz. Progressive Jazz, Modern Big Band

Occupation:  Musician, Composer

Instruments:  Piano

Thelonious Monk was an American Jazz Pianist and Composer.  He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the Standard Jazz repertoire, including "Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Ruby, My Dear" and more!.

Title:  Genius Of Modern Music, Vol. 2 (Blue Note Classic Edition) (2026)

Genre:  Jazz, Cool Jazz, Bebop, Hard Bop, Post  Bop, Jazz Instrument, Piano Jazz. Progressive Jazz, Modern Big Band

Label:  Blue Note

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Carolina Moon (3:28)

 2.  Hornin' In. (3:14)

 3.  Skippy (3:00)

 4.  Let's Cool One (3:47)

 5.  Suburban Eyes (3:00)

 6.  Evonce (3:04)

Side Two:

 1.  Straight No Chaser (2:55)

 2.  Four In One (3:28)
 3.  Nice Work (If You Can Get It) (3:01)

 4.  Monk's Mood (3:06)

 5.  Who Knows? (2:41)

 6.  Ask Me Now (3:16)

Personnel:

Tracks:  1/1-4

Thelonious Monk:  Piano

Kenny Dorham:  Trumpet

Lou Donaldson:  Alto Saxophone

Lucky Thompson:  Tenor Saxophone

Nelson Boyd:  Bass

Max Roach:  Drums

Tracks:  1/5, 6

Thelonious Monk:  Piano

Idrees Suliieman:  Trumpet

Danny Quebec West:  Alto Saxophone

Billy Smith:  Tenor Saxophone

Gene Ramey:  Bass

Art Blakey:  Drums

Tracks:  2/1, 2, 6

Thelonious Monk:   Piano

Sahib Shihab:  Alto Saxophone, except 2/6

Milt Jackson:  Vibraphone, except 2/6

Al McKibon:  Bass

Art Blakey:  Drums

Track:  2/3

Thelonious Monk:  Piano

Gene Ramey:  Bass

Art Blakey:  Drums

Tracks:  2/4, 5

Thelonious Monk:  Piano

George Taitt:  Trumpet

Sahib Shihab:  Alto Saxophone

Bob Paige:  Bass

Art Blakey:  Drums

Genius Of Modern Music, Vol. 2 is the compilation album by Thelonious Monk, originally released in 1956 by Blue Note, remastered and reissued on February 20, 2026 by Blue Note, pressed on 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl.

Van Morrison

 

Artist:  Van Morrison
Birth Name:  George Ivan Morrison
Born:  August 31, 1945.  Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Genre:  Rock, Folk, Folk Rock, Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Blue-Eyed Soul, Celtic, Rock 'N' Roll, Jazz, Country,  Country Rock, Soft Rock
Occupations:  Singer, Songwriter, Musician
Instruments:  Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Saxophones, Keyboards, Drums, Tambourine

Van Morrison is a Northern Irish Singer, Songwriter and Musician, well-known as the lead singer of the Northern Irish R&B Band Them, with the Garage Classic Track "Gloria" in the mid-1960s.  His Solo career began with the hit single "Brown Eyed Girl" in 1967.  He has many greatest albums such as:  Astral Weeks (1968), Moondance (1970), Tupelo Honey (1971), Saint Dominic's Preview (1972), Hard Nose The Highway (1973), Irish Heartbeat (1988), Avalon Sunset (1989), Enlightenment (1990), How Long Has This Been Going On (1996), Tell Me Something:  The Songs Of Mose Allison (1996), You Win Again (2000).  He sometimes collaborating with other artists, such as The Chieftains, Georgie Fame and many more.  He show the influence of Celtic Tradition, Jazz, Country, Folk, Blues and Blue-Eye Soul.  He has received considerable including Six Grammy Awards and being induced into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and appearing on several "Greatest Artists" Lists.

Title:  Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge (2026)

Genre:  Rock, Folk, Folk Rock, Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Blue-Eyed Soul, Celtic, Rock 'N' Roll, Jazz, Country,  Country Rock, Soft Rock

Label:  Orangefield Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Kidney Stew Blues (3:45)

 2.  King For A Day Blues (3:46)

 3.  Snatch It Back And Hold It (3:58)

 4.  Deep Blue Sea (feat. Elvin Bishop) (4:18)

 5.  Ain't That A Shame (3:27)

 6.  Madame Butterfly Blues (feat. Elvis Bishop) (5:46)

 7.  Can't Help Myself (feat. Taj Mahal) (3:42)

 8.  Betty And Dupree (4:59)

 9.  Delia's Gone (3:20)

10. On A Monday (3:21)

11. Monte Carlo Blues (2:54)

12. When It's Love Time (feat. Elvin Bishop) (2:58)

13. Loving Memonies (feat. Elvin Bishop) (4:31)

14. Play The Honky Tonks (feat. Elvin Bishop) (3:50)

15. (Go To The) High Place In Your Mind (feat. John Allair) (3:53)

16. Social Climbing Scene (3:43)

17. Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge (4:01)

18. You're The One (4:25)

19. I'm Ready (feat. Buddy Guy) (3:29)

20. Rock Me Baby (feat. Buddy Guy) (5:32)

Personnel:

Van Morrison:  Vocals, Saxophone on Tracks:  1, 2, 14, 15, Harmonica on Tracks:  3, 4, 11, 19, Guitar on Tracks:  8, 13, 15 Acoustic Guitar on Track 16

Ben McAuley:  Tambourine on Track 18

David Hayes:  Bass

Anthony Paule: Guitars

John Allair:  Hammond Organ on Tracks:  1-6, 8, 10, 13, 16-20, Piano on Tracks:  7, 9, 12-15, 17, 18, Vocals on Track 15

Bobby Ruggiero:  Percussion on Tracks:  1, 3, 6-18, Drums on Track 2

Mitch Woods:  Piano on Tracks:  1-6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 19, 20

Larry Vann:  Drums on Tracks:  1, 3-18

Tom Hambirdge:  Drums on Tracks:  19, 20

Omega Rae Brooks:  Vocals on Tracks:  4, 6, 16-18

Crawford Bell:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  9, 11

Jolene O'Hara:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  1, 3, 9, 11, 13, 14

Daa Masters:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  1, 3

Larry Batiste:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  4-6, 13, 14, 16-18

Nona Brown:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  4-6, 13, 14, 16-18

Special Guests:

Elvin Bishop:  Guitar on Tracks:  4, 5, 12-14, 18

Taj Mahal:  Harmonica on Tracks:  7-10, Vocals on Tracks:  7, 8, 10, Banjo on Track 10

Buddy Guy:  Guitar, Vocals on Tracks:  19, 20

Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge is the 48th studio album by Van Morrison, released on January 23, 2026 by Orangefield Records, featuring Special Guests:  Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy.  The album reached No. 1 on UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart.

Asia

 

Artist:   Asia
Origin:  England
Genre:  Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Hard Rock

Original line-up:

John Wetton:  Lead Vocals, Bass, Guitar
Steve Howe:  Guitar, Mandolin, Backing Vocals
Geoff Downes:  Keyboards, Keytar, Backing Vocals
Carl Palmer:  Drums, Percussion

Asia are a British Progressive Rock Supergroup, formed in 1981 by John Wetton (Bass Ex King Crimson, Family, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, UK, Wishbone Ash), Steve Howe (Guitar Ex Yes), Geoff Downes (Keyboards Ex The Buggles, Yes), and Carl Palmer (Drums Ex Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and Atomic Rooster).  Their debut album Asia in 1982 reaching No. 1 in several countries.  Asia ranks as on of the most popular Progressive Rock Bands in history.

Title:  Live In England (Deluxe Edition) (2026)

Genre:  Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Hard Rock

Label:  Frontiers Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD + DVD

Tracks:

 Disc 1:  CD

 1. Heart Of The Moment (4:31)

 2.  Only Time Will Tell (5:07)

 3.  Soles Survivor (5:46)

 4.  One Step Closer (4:23)

 5.  Time Again (5:08)

 6.  Wildest Dreams (5:17)

 7.  Without You (5:30)

 8.  Cutting It Fine (6:19)

 9.  Here Comes Te Feeling (5:56)

Bonus Tracks:

10. Ride Easy (4:47)

11. Video Killed The Radio Star (3:38)

12. The Heat Goes On (5:05)

Disc 2:  DVD

 1. Heart Of The Moment (4:31)

 2.  Only Time Will Tell (5:07)

 3.  Soles Survivor (5:46)

 4.  One Step Closer (4:23)

 5.  Time Again (5:08)

 6.  Wildest Dreams (5:17)

 7.  Without You (5:30)

 8.  Cutting It Fine (6:19)

 9.  Here Comes Te Feeling (5:56)

Bonus Tracks:

10. Ride Easy (4:47)

11. Video Killed The Radio Star (3:38)

12. The Heat Goes On (5:05)

Special Features - Interviews With Geoff Downes, Virgil Donati, John Mitchell, Harry Whitley

Roger Dean tell about The Asia Logo & Design

Format:  LP

Tracks:

LP 1:

Side A:

1. Heart Of The Moment (4:31)

 2.  Only Time Will Tell (5:07)

 3.  Soles Survivor (5:46)

Side B:

 1.  One Step Closer (4:23)

 2.  Time Again (5:08)

 3.  Wildest Dreams (5:17)

LP 2:

Side C:

 1.  Without You (5:30)

 2.  Cutting It Fine (6:19)

 3.  Here Comes Te Feeling (5:56)

Side D:

 1.  Ride Easy (4:47)

 2.  Video Killed The Radio Star (3:38)

 3.  The Heat Goes On (5:05)

Personnel:

Geoff Downes:  Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Harry Whitley:  Lead Vocals, Bass

John Mitchell:  Guitar Backing Vocals

Virgil Donati:  Drums

Live In England is a live album by Asia, released on March 13, 2026 by Frontiers Records, recorded live at Trading Boundaries in Sussex, in April 2025, featuring Geoff Downes (Keyboards,  Ex The Buggles, Trapeze, White, New Dance Orchestra, Icon, Yes, DBA), John Mitchell (Guitar Ex Arena, It Bites, Frost, Kino, Lonely Robot, A, The Urbane), Harry Whitley (Lead Vocals, Bass), and Virgil Donati (Drums Ex Planet X, Ring Of Fire, CAB, The State, Allan Holdsworth, Southern Sons, Taste, Soul SirkUS, U.K., Seven The Hardway).

Mountain

 

Artist:  Mountain 

Origin:  Long Island, New York, USA
Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Original line-up:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals
Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals
Steve Knight:  Keyboards
N.D. Smart:  Drums

Classic line-up:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Keyboards
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

Mountain is an American Hard Rock Band from Long Island, New York, formed in 1969 by the producer of Cream, Felix Pappalardi (Bass,Vocals), Leslie West (Guitar, Vocals Ex The Vagrants), Steve Knight (Keyboards) and N.D. Smart (Drums).  Their best known songs:  "Mississippi Queen", "Them For An Imaginary Western", "For Yasgur's Farm".  Mountain is one of many bands to be commonly credited as having influenced the development of Heavy Metal Music.

Title:  Don't Look Around - The Recordings 1969-1974 (2026)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Esoteric Recordings

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:  

Artist:  Leslie West 

Title:  Mountain (1969)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Blood Of The Sun (2:35)

 2.  Long Red (3:14)

 3.  Better Watch Out (2:47)

 4.  Blind Man (3:50)

 5.  Baby, I'm Down (3:58)

 6.  Dreams Of Milk And Honey (3:22)

 7.  Storyteller Man (3:04)

 8.  This Wheel's On Fire (3:18)

 9.  Look To The Wind (2:43)

10. Southbound Train (2:57)

11. Because You Are My Friend (3:10)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitars, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Keyboards

N.D. Smart:  Drums

Mountain is the debut studio album by Leslie West, released on July 1969 by Windfall.

Disc 2:

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Live At Woodstock Music & Arts Fair 1969 (1972)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall Records

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Blood Of The Sun (3:00)

 2.  Stormy Monday (7:18)

 3.  Theme For An Imaginary Western (5:45)

 4.  Long Red  (5:13)

 5.  Who Am I But You And The Sun (For Yasgur's Farm) (3:47)

 6.  Beside Th Sea (3:32)

 7.  Waiting To Take You Away (4:50)

 8.  Dreams Of Milk And Honey (16:11)

 9.  Sounthbound Train (6:16)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Keyboards
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

 

Live At Woodstock Music & Arts Fair 1969 is a live album by Mountain, released on April 24, 1972 by Windfall.

Disc 3:  

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Climbing! (1970)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Mississippi Queen (2:31)

 2.  Theme For An Imaginary Western (5:06)

 3.  Never In My Life (3:51)

 4.  Silver Paper (3:19)

 5.  For Yasgur's Farm (3:23)

 6.  To My Friend (3:36)

 7.  The Laird (4:39)

 8.  Sittin' On A Rainbow (2:23)

 9.  Boys In The Band (3:33)

Bonus Tracks:

10. For Yasgur's Farm (Live) (4:21)

11. Stormy Monday (Live) (19:26)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass on All Tracks, except 6, 7, Piano on Tracks:  1, 2, 9, Rhythm Guitar on Track 7, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Organ on Tracks:  2-5, Mellotron on Tracks:  2, 9, Handbells on Track  4
Corky Laing:  Drums on All Tracks, except 6, 7, Percussion on Tracks:  7, 9

Climbing! is the debut studio album by Mountain, released on March 7, 1970 by Windfall.

Disc 4:

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Nantucket Sleighride (1971)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Don't Look Around (3:42)

 2.  Taunta (Sammy's Tune) (1:00)

 3.  Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin) (5:49)

 4.  You Can't Get Away (3:23)

 5.  Tired Angels (In J.M.H) (4:39)

 6.  The Animal Trainer And The Toad (3:24)

 7.  My Lady (4:31)

 8.  Travellin' In The Dark (To E.M.P.) (4:21)

 9.  The Great Trai Robbery (5:43)

Bonus Track:

10. Travellin' In The Dark (To E.M.P.) (Live) (5:10)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Keyboards
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

Nantucket Sleighride is the second studio album by Mountain, released on January 1971 by Windfall.

Disc 5:

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Flowers Of Evil (1971)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Flowers Of Evil (4:53)

 2.  King's Chorale (1:04)

 3.  One Last Cold Kiss (3:45)

 4.  Crossroader (4:47)

 5.  Pride And Passion (7:05)

 6.  Dream Sequence (Medley) (24:27)

      -Guitar Solo 

      -Roll Over Beethoven

      -Dreams Of Milk And Honey

      -Variations

      -Swan Theme

 7.  Mississippi Queen (3:53)

Bonus Tracks:

 8.  Crossroader (Live) (6:49)

 9.  Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin) (Live)(16:53)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Keyboards
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

Flowers Of Evil is the third studio album by Mountain, released on November 1971 by Windfall.

Disc 6.

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Twin Peaks (1974)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Never In My Life (4:16)

 2.  Theme For An Imaginery Western (5:01)

 3.  Blood Of The Sun (3:04)

 4. Guitar Solo (5:41)

 5.  Nantucket Sleighride (31:49)

 6.  Crossroader (5:56)

 7.  Mississippi Queen (4:17)

 8.  Silver Paper (6:15)

 9.  Roll Over Beethoven (2:24)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Bob Mann:  Guitar, Keyboards
Allan Schwartzberg:  Drums

Twin Peaks is the third live album by Mountain, released on February 1974 by Windfall.

Disc 7:

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Avalanche (1974)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On (5:05)

 2.  Sister Justice (3:58)

 3.  Alisan (4:41)

 4.  Swamp Boy (2:54)

 5.  (I Can't Get No) (Satisfaction (5:14)

 6.  Thumbsucker (3:20)

 7.  You Better Believe It (5:47)

 8. I Love To See You Fly (3:46)

 9.  Back Where I Belong (2:56)

10. Last Of The Sunshine Days (3:47)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals, Keyboards

David Perry:  Rhythm Guitar
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

Avalanche is the fourth studio album by Mountain, released on July 1974 by Windfall.

Don't Look Around - The Recordings 1969-1974 is the collection Box Set by Mountain, released on February 27, 2026 by Esogteric Recordings.  For Fans of Leslie West and Mountain, For Music Collectors.