The Sharp Notes

03/01/2025

Michael Andrews (Elgin Park) describes the composition work he does outside of the The Greyboy Allstars, particularly on some Will Ferrell projects! More at The Sharp Notes.

02/28/2025

Charles Strouse – Music Inspired By The Rip-Roarin’ Electrifying Sound of “Bonnie and Clyde” (Original Motion Picture Score) (Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records – WS 1742, 1968 🇺🇸)

I’ll be darned if I own another soundtrack from a film featuring Gene Hackman. This kind of thing is really more up ’ alley. Maybe I have something else, but the only one I know for sure is Bonnie & Clyde—a film I don’t particularly love (though I haven’t seen it in 30 years).

Hackman was a powerhouse. To us Xennials, he was the definition of a real adult—intimidating yet fatherly, tough yet full of warmth and inspiration. When I first heard of his passing, my instinctive reaction was a peaceful one—he lived a long, remarkable life. But, like many of you, I’m saddened to hear that the circumstances surrounding his end may have been…complicated.

02/26/2025

George Harrison – Cloud Nine (Dark Horse Records – 1-25643, 1987) Happy Birthday, George Harrison! Today, celebrate the “best Quiet Beatle” whose music always spoke volumes. Whether with The Beatles or on his own, George blended rock, pop, and a touch of something cosmically conscious into every song.

One of his best solo moments - imho - arrived in 1987 with Cloud Nine, an album that reminded everyone just how effortlessly cool he was even in his mid-forties: rock and roll antiquity in those days. With Jeff Lynne in the producer’s chair and Harri’s slide guitar, the record was packed with gems. “Got My Mind Set on You” - of course - became a huge hit, and “When We Was Fab” was a spookily accurate nod to his Beatles days. It was George doing what he did best—making music that felt timeless, warm, and maybe just a little cheeky. My goodness, he had much more to give.

So crank up Cloud Nine on this unseasonably warm day in NYC and soak in the good vibes (60s sunshine coupled with 80s consumerism)

02/26/2025

From Boogaloo to the Big Screen: Michael Andrews (aka Elgin Park) Balances Music, Movies, and More with New The Greyboy Allstars Compilation | The Sharp Notes Interview

The guitarist discusses the band's new compilation and his work in film scoring.

The guitarist discusses the Greyboy Allstars’ new compilation and his work in film scoringMichael Andrews (aka Elgin Park) Balances Music, Movies, and More with Greyboy Allstars CompilationFor over three decades, Michael Andrews (aka Elgin Park) has been an integral part of the Greyboy Allstars, a...

02/24/2025

Josh Todd from Buckcherry discussses the evolution of his vocal technique.

02/23/2025

Buckcherry's Josh Todd adds phlebotomy next to his rockstar cred.

02/23/2025

Between Art and Identity: TB Ward Challenges 'Personal Brand' in a Digital Age | The Sharp Notes Interview w/ Evan Toth.

TB Ward on Art, Authenticity, and the Ironic Hustle of Being a 'Professional Human

TB Ward on Art, Authenticity, and the Ironic Hustle of Being a 'Professional HumanWhat does it mean to be a "Professional Human"? Is it a bold statement of self-actualization or a just a wry jab at the endless hustle of creative survival? TB Ward revels in that ambiguity, teasing out the tensions be...

02/20/2025

Through addiction, industry upheavals, and personal reinvention, a rock survivor’s unwavering path forward.Perseverance is more than just endurance—it is the art of weathering storms without losing sight of the horizon. For Josh Todd - the last remaining original member of Buckcherry - survival ...

02/18/2025

Holding the Line: Buckcherry's Josh Todd and the Power of Persistence | The Sharp Notes Interview w/ Evan Toth

Through addiction, industry upheavals, and personal reinvention, a rock survivor’s unwavering path forward.

Through addiction, industry upheavals, and personal reinvention, a rock survivor’s unwavering path forward.Perseverance is more than just endurance—it is the art of weathering storms without losing sight of the horizon. For Josh Todd - the last remaining original member of Buckcherry - survival ...

02/17/2025

Had a great chat this morning with Wolfgang Flür (Kraftwerk) and Peter Duggal about Wolfgang’s forthcoming new album, “Times”. Where else can you have a conversation with someone about robots making music for humans vs. humans being influenced by robots to make music for robots…or something like that? 🤖🦾 Düsseldorf via Leeds via NJ. It was a good one. I’ll share our talk with you soon!

02/15/2025

Have you ever met an LED bulb that you liked? This recent Fast Company piece reminds me of vinyl’s comeback—some things just can't be replicated in digital (no matter the data). LEDs have their place, but for the home? Bring back incandescent! 🔥💡

The transition to LED lights started with a law signed by George W. Bush. No matter what Trump says, factories can't easily go back to making old bulbs even if they wanted to.

02/12/2025

Jeannie Piersol – The Nest (High Moon Records – SKU: HMR019, 2025 🇺🇸)

What a pleasure it was to speak with Jeannie - and Alex Palao - yesterday about this exciting release from High Moon that came out just a few short weeks ago; it was a long time in the making.

What do I mean when I use the word exciting? I mean, discovery. Of finding music that you didn’t know existed and to be given a release that treats the work with the reverence and scholarship that it deserves. And to be able to speak with the key figure of the project was a real treat.

Did she have stories about rubbing elbows with Grace Slick and Janis Joplin? Sure, but she also wanted to talk about the Super Bowl. It was all fine with me. I’ll be posting the interview soon, but in the meantime, take a listen to this terrific compendium of Jeannie’s work; it’s better than great: it’s singular.

02/11/2025

Michael Mayo Takes Flight: Jazz, Soul, and the Art of Letting Go | The Sharp Notes Interview w/ Evan Toth. It's a conversation about his latest album, "Fly" on Avenue Records.

"I don't think that jazz at its core is supposed to be this staunchly stubborn, hardheaded music. I think the music is supposed to breathe, and change, and flow, and express, and grow. We always have to be writing the line between trying to be innovative, but also not taking away from the beauty that gave the song the reception that it had in the first place."

The rising jazz vocalist talks about his whirlwind new album, lessons from legends, and the freedom of trusting the creative process.Michael Mayo In Flight: Jazz, Soul & the Art of Letting Go | A Sharp Notes Interview with Evan TothSome artists walk, some artists run—but Michael Mayo flies. His la...

02/09/2025

There Are Many Ways to Rhyme "Hackensack": Listening to an Original Pressing of Steely Dan's "Katy Lied": Rock and Roll, Billy Joel, and the Gas Left in the Car

Rock and Roll, Billy Joel, and the Gas Left in the CarSteely Dan – Katy Lied (ABC Records – ABCD-846, 1975 🇺🇸)It’s funny—strange, not ha-ha—to think of Steely Dan existing in the same musical universe as Elton John and Billy Joel. Not that their work overlaps much, but if there were ...

02/06/2025

Serebii Finds Freedom in Self-Imposed Boundaries | The Sharp Notes Interview: In a world where bigger, louder, and more visible often seem to reign supreme, Serebii finds freedom in the art of restraint.

"A friend of mine told me about “the spell” when you feel a song has lost your interest in a moment, it is simply the goal of deciphering what pulled you out of the magic, it can involve cut throat decision making, sometimes removing elements of songs of even entire sections, to get back to the enchantment of the song."

In a world where bigger, louder, and more visible often seem to reign supreme, Serebii finds freedom in the art of restraint.With Dime, his highly anticipated new album, Serebii has chosen to strip away the noise—not just around him, but within himself. He confined his creative process to a simple...

02/06/2025

Uncover the secrets of vinyl record production! Join our audio experts as they debate the surprising impact of record thickness on sound quality. Discover why thinner records, like the iconic Dynaflex, can sometimes deliver surprisingly superior audio. Explore this fascinating audiophile discussion!

02/05/2025

A Taste of Iceland Airwaves 2024 ( 🇬🇧/ 🇮🇸) Don’t miss my exciting interview this week with Larry Jaffee and Kevin Da Costa, where we dive into their incredible adventure in Iceland! They’re on a mission to turn the sugar beet into a sustainable alternative to PVC for vinyl records. While the pressing factory isn’t quite up and running in Iceland yet, they’re getting closer by the day. Our conversation covers this groundbreaking project and so much more. Head over to The Tracking Angle to catch all the details!