Sweating and strumming the guitar with artistic force, folk singer Richie Havens opened up Woodstock in ’69 with a three-hour-long, 11-song set that culminated with “Freedom.” A star on the rise, the Brooklyn artist set the tone then and continued to do so throughout his extensive career, which not only included several chart-topping tunes, but also the founding of the Northwind Undersea Institute—an environmental education …
“Oooooh, you blow my mind…” croons Sacha Winkler, the Swiss artist better known as Kalabrese. His just-released album, Independent Dancer, has all the makings to blow your mind with its captivating blend of styles, which span electronica, funk, disco, indie music and more. Kalabrese’s Erlend Øye-like vocals feature throughout, adding a distinct sexiness to layers of sound that ultimately inspire late night boogies on and …
Step back to a simpler time when harmonicas and ragtime rhythms ruled American music with Sonny Terry’s “She’s So Sweet.” Off the 1963 album Sonny Is King—a title the blind Piedmont blues musician definitely deserves after decades of incredible output in the ’40s and ’50s—and featuring guitar riffs and duets from Lightnin’ Hopkins and regular collaborator Brownie McGhee. Terry remains an inspirational benchmark of creativity.
