Columbia Records Group

Last Night: Tony Bennett At Jones Hall

No photogaphy was permitted at Thursday's show.​Tony Bennett Jones Hall April 26, 2011 Tuesday night was the 60th anniversary of Tony Bennett recording what would become first No. 1 single, a little tune called "Because of You." After hearing the 85-year-old singer perform with his quartet a ... More >>

Top Five Athlete-Rapper Team-Ups

​Speak of the devil... Give an NBA player a mike and he'll give you one of the worst performances of all time. Put the same athlete in the company of a decent rapper and the result might surprise you. If you're still haunted by the bitter taste of our worst rapper-athlete collaborations, here ... More >>

Top Six Artist Vs. Record Label Feuds

​Pink Floyd has finally settled its lengthy dispute with their longtime record label EMI. The band, which signed to the label over 40 years ago, first took EMI to court last spring in an effort to clarify their existing contract. Floyd sought to prevent EMI from "unbundling" their albums by se ... More >>

Springsteen Darkness Reissue Includes 1978 Houston Show

​Did you know Bruce Springsteen mentions bygone downtown venue Liberty Hall in his song "This Hard Land"? Of course you did, because Rocks Off is contractually obligated to mention it every time we post something about The Boss. So now that's out of the way, here's something else Houston-re ... More >>

"We're Ashamed The President Is From Texas" And Other Acts Of Career Suicide

Seven years ago this week, the Dixie Chicks had the No. 1 country single in the U.S. with Bruce Robison's lump-raising "Travelin' Soldier." Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Bush Administration was putting the finishing touches on its Iraqi invasion strategy, which prompted Chicks lead singer Nat ... More >>

Lonesome Onry and Mean: The Shadowy Depression-Era Roots of Modern Country and Bluegrass

As LOM promised in last week's blog about bluegrass, here are some precursors to that art form. These are some wonderful tunes to listen to on your boom-box or iPod while tending your illegal still. Charlie Poole: Charlie Poole is the iconic model for every hard-drinkin', guitar-plunking, Appalachi ... More >>

Lonesome Onry and Mean: The Clancy Brothers, or the Pogues of the '60s

Wonder what the Pogues show Thursday is going to look like? Here's our guess... "I had the good fortune to meet Liam Clancy of the Clancy Brothers once and while talking with him over a cup of tea I mentioned my affection for the Pogues to which he replied, 'The Pogues are a cross between the Clanc ... More >>

Sorry Dave, We Had To: Top Ten Songs to Listen to While Having Sex With Co-Workers

If The Late Show with David Letterman hasn't seemed very funny lately, it's probably because Dave has been spending more time apologizing for banging his subordinates than he has making fun of Paul Shaffer. Admittedly, it was a bold move: coming forward and confessing his past missteps in order to ... More >>

Happy Birthday, "Louie Louie"

Forty-six years ago today, a group of teenagers gathered in a Portland, Oregon, studio to record a ridiculously simple anthem that would go on to become one of the most influential - and most misunderstood - songs in rock history. The group was the Kingsmen - none of whom was over age 17 - and the ... More >>

Lost Tuneage: Moby Grape

Who Dat? Collectively, Moby Grape probably was one of the most talented bands to come out of San Francisco area during the golden age of hippiedom. Formed in 1966 by drummer Skip Spence and manager Matthew Katz (both of whom had just been fired from Jefferson Airplane), the lineup includ ... More >>

Classic Rock Corner: The Greatest Band Logos of All Time, Part 2

An early example of rock art... We're back to reveal the best of the best, the cream of the crop, the cappo di tutti cappi of classic-rock band logos evah! And when we say "greatest," we look for a combination of things including memorability, longevity, graphic design, influence and appearances. ... More >>

The Collector: The Hoodoo Curse

Bluesman Robert Johnson's shadow stretches long and large

Music to Shuffle Off This Mortal Coil

Re-Scattering Willie Nelson's Stardust, 30 Years Later

ZZ Top Signs to Rick Rubin's American Recordings

Raiding the Houston Press's Photo Archives

David Rice

A songsmith picks up the pieces and returns to Houston in triumph

Brandi Carlile, A Fine Frenzy

Johnny Winter

Johnny Winter performs Sunday, November 19, at Fitgerald's, 2706 White Oak, 713-862-3838.

Bobaflex

Friday, August 18, at the Engine Room, 1515 Pease, 713-654-7846

Curl Up with Teddy

Joy Lynn White

Tuesday, January 24, at McGonigel's Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk, 713-528-5999. White also will appear at 6 p.m. Tuesday for an in-store at Cactus Music & Video, 2930 Shepherd, 713-526-9272.

John Legend, with De La Soul and Rahzel

Saturday, August 13, at HUSH, 15625 Katy Freeway, 713-330-HUSH.

Rotation

switchfoot

No matter what you call 'em, they're headlining the Music Awards

Xmas Marks the Spot

A guide to new holiday discs, from surprise presents to Tannen-bombs

Pitfall Punks

Swinging over the crocodile ponds with the Ataris

Lucky Star

The brass ring fell in Kirk Whalum's lap. He's kept it in his pocket ever since.

In the Doghouse

Two Houstonians allege that Lil' Bow Wow's handlers are pissing in their yard

Various Artists

The Complete Columbia Jazz Piano Moods Sessions (Mosaic Records)

On the Off-Road Again

Country legend Ray Price continues to take the path less traveled

Self-Righteous Leftists

Smithsonian Folkways releases Broadside magazine's long-forgotten tracks

Smooth Ride on the Tappan Zee

Bob James performs at Scott Gertner's Skybar

South by Southwest by Houston Press

Rotation

Music Reviews

Paperless Record Deals

Local Music News

Homeward Bound

A trip back to Houston for Rodney Crowell is a trip back in honky-tonk time

Goat Man

Andy Rosen, a.k.a. Goat, has a hit

Rotation

The Voice, The Spark, The Image

Sinatra's genius looms lively and large over multiple media

Conference Kudos and Crud

Sparking Interest

David Rice finally throws the switch on greenelectric

Burying the Brakeman

Wanted Man

Johnny Cash may just be a legend, but he's never sounded better

Rotation

Once More, From the Top

Peter Stuart is ready to reclaim his captive audience

Static

Rotation

Stupid Is as Stupid Sells

The Ozz man is back, as dreadfully (and delightfully) dumb as ever

Heeeeere's Branford!

The Tonight show behind him, Branford Marsalis moves to "de-ghettoize" music