Album studies

John Mayer: Battle Studies

To be released Nov. 17

John Mayer’s seemingly got it all: mainstream good looks, a successful music career, Jennifer Aniston. Even so, it sounds like the guitarstrumming crooner isn’t just aware new directions are a necessity for any musician who wants to remain relevant. He’s also ready to go in a new direction. Battle Studies, his fourth album, will apparently be the platform for which his fans will see what this new direction is. Mayer said shortly after his acclaimed 2006 release, Continuum, he planned to make his next album an experimental project. This includes a new approach to tasks such as song writing and recording. »

Age not slowing agenda for 1960s Detroit radical

With the economic and employment landscapes in the country facing continual changes, retirement is no longer a sure thing. That’s fine by John Sinclair. »

Bah-Humbug!

Creating an adaptation of a classic story is
always a dicey undertaking, especially when
several others have already done so.

Stray too far from the source material and
purists will cry foul. Fail to put your own mark
on the story and others will question the logic
in retelling the story in the first place. »

Ensemble pays tribute to jazz composer

The Rhea Miller Concert Hall
was the scene for an homage to jazz
history Saturday night, as a musical
ensemble paid tribute to jazz legend
Thelonious Monk. »