The Sharp Notes

07/26/2025

So glad to see Billy’s story finally being told through his new documentary. Even more exciting: 100 songs connected to the project were just released today (sorry…digital only, folks).

Given how famously limited Billy’s vault is, this collection is a rare and remarkable trove of material. Let’s dig in.

07/25/2025

Too many losses lately. What do they say—these things come in threes? Or fours? Or fives? No matter. I’ve loved this song—and Chuck’s music, along with his brothers’—for a long time.

You’ll see a lot of photos of this album over the next few days. When you do, make sure you give it a spin or a stream. Almost everything Chuck released was top-notch: great production, great players.

They don’t make them like this anymore, gang.

07/23/2025

You’ve heard the name. You’ve seen his name on the back of those beautifully curated jazz reissues. But how does Zev Feldman (Resonance Records) actually do it? How does he track down long-lost recordings, negotiate the rights, and bring them back to life; often decades after they were recorded?

In my latest interview, I sat down with the so-called "Indiana Jones of Jazz” (a nickname earned from The New Yorker, no less) to talk about his recent Elemental Music releases: Bill Evans – Further Ahead: Live in Finland (1964–1969) and Art Pepper – An Afternoon in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert.

But what started as a chat about two great albums quickly became a deep dive into the process: the thrill of the hunt, the detective work, the passion for preserving what others left behind.

If you care about jazz, vinyl, or the lost stories behind the music—you’ll want to read the full conversation at TrackingAngle.com.



https://trackingangle.com/features/digging-deep-inside-zev-feldmans-quest-for-hidden-jazz-treasures

An inside look at how rare jazz recordings make their way from dusty tapes to deluxe editions

07/22/2025

It's the Jazz Detective Himself: Zev Feldman!

You’ve heard the name. You’ve seen his name on the back of those beautifully curated jazz reissues. But how does Zev Feldman actually do it? How does one man track down long-lost recordings, negotiate the rights, and bring them back to life; often decades after they were recorded?

In my latest interview, I sat down with the so-called "Indiana Jones of Jazz” (a nickname earned from The New Yorker, no less) to talk about his recent Elemental Music and Resonance Records releases:

But what started as a chat about two great albums quickly became a deep dive into the process: the thrill of the hunt, the detective work, the passion for preserving what others left behind.

Read about it at TrackingAngle.com!

https://trackingangle.com/features/digging-deep-inside-zev-feldmans-quest-for-hidden-jazz-treasures

An inside look at how rare jazz recordings make their way from dusty tapes to deluxe editions

07/17/2025

Charles "Wigg" Walker's journey through the music industry spans decades of hard-won experience. From singing on Nashville street corners to working with legends like James Brown, Wigg’s story is one of resilience, hustle, and unwavering love for soul music. In this interview, he reflects on the ups, downs, and sheer determination it takes to keep going. His tale tells us that longevity in music isn’t about luck; it’s about never walking away from the stage.

Charles “Wigg” Walker’s journey through the music industry spans decades of hard-won experience. From singing on Nashville street corners to working with legends like James Brown, Wigg’s story is one of resilience, hustle, and unwavering love for soul music. In this heartfelt interview, he r...

07/15/2025

Bonjour, La France! And on Bastille Day, no less!

😲 Quand le Magazine de NEW YORK "The Sharp Notes" est dans les premiers à diffuser le titre "That's Alright" !! Ça fait plus que plaisir !!! 📰🤩

"That's Alright," —is the best track of hers I’ve heard yet. The culmination of her 10,000 hours of experience feels fully present in this deceptively efficient, effervescent 3:43-minute tune that has it all: hooks for miles, refreshing chord changes, and a lovely choral build-up at the end. There’s something in it for everyone"

👇 Pour Lire l'article en entier 👇
https://www.thesharpnotes.com/post/a-decade-and-a-song-gaelle-buswell-premieres-new-track-that-s-alright

🎧 Pour télécharger "That's Alright" :
https://kuronekomedia.lnk.to/ThatsAlright

🙏 Merci Evan Toth 🙏

✌️😘

07/15/2025

Reservoir Dogs (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

I would’ve posted this sooner in honor of Michael Madsen, but—to be completely honest—when I went to grab it, I couldn’t find it. I take great pride in my cataloging system, gang, so when something’s missing, it’s a big deal. A true collector’s failure. I hate that.

Of course, it was filed under “Double Feature” and not “R,” since it’s bundled with the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. And me—unable to decide which film should take precedence—dutifully filed it under “D.”

Who cares, right? Well, here’s the point: I can’t overstate the influence Quentin Tarantino’s films—and especially their soundtracks—have had on my collecting habits and my musical universe. The boldness of his choices. The precision. Every track felt deliberate, powerful, right. Were they hits? Didn’t matter. Quentin knew exactly what a scene needed, and more importantly, he’s always been a premium tastemaker. I can only imagine what kind of records he’s got in his collection.

And Michael Madsen: the perfect blend of “aww shucks” charm and cold-blooded menace. An actor for the ages—and for us film nuts of the ’90s and beyond.

07/12/2025

Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab – MFSL 1-012, 1975/1979)

What can I show you today that stands out in a sea of self-titled Fleetwood Mac posts? Here’s my Mobile Fidelity copy from 1979—picked up at an embarrassingly low price, probably just before the modern vinyl resurgence took off.

I’ll admit, back when I was younger and deep into all things edgy and punk, Fleetwood Mac didn’t speak to me. They felt like the establishment—safe, polished—the opposite of what most rebellious teenagers are after.

It took years to realize how wrong I was. Not only had I misjudged the band, but I came to respect the boldness and risk it took to make this record—one that marked the beginning of a new lineup and a new era, ultimately their most iconic and successful.

So here’s to 50 years of Fleetwood Mac—and here’s to growing up, evolving, and rethinking some of those stubborn ideas we once held.

07/11/2025

Dennis Diken of The Smithereens reflects on the band’s enduring journey, the return of their 2011 album on vinyl, and the lasting power of rock and roll. From recording with Don Dixon to honoring the legacy of Pat DiNizio, Diken speaks to the group’s New Jersey roots, work ethic, and commitment ...

07/10/2025

Dennis Diken of The Smithereens reflects on the band’s enduring journey, the return of their 2011 album on vinyl, and the lasting power of rock and roll. It’s on the Sharp Notes Podcast. Go to there now!

Dennis Diken of The Smithereens reflects on the band’s enduring journey, the return of their 2011 album on vinyl, and the lasting power of rock and roll. From recording with Don Dixon to honoring the legacy of Pat DiNizio, Diken speaks to the group’s New Jersey roots, work ethic, and commitment ...

07/08/2025

The Mekons have got a new album out and they’re going on tour to a town near you this summer. Before they do all that - however - they stop by The Sharp Notes for a chat. Join Evan Toth and Jon Langford to dive into the reasons why the Mekons do what the Mekons do!

The Band's US Tour Begins on July 9th: Dates BelowThe Mekons have always operated on the fringes—of genre, tradition, and industry expectations. Formed in the late 1970s in Leeds during the first wave of British punk, the group has evolved into something far more expansive: a long-running collecti...

07/06/2025

Bonnie Raitt - Nick of Time (Capitol Records – C1-91268, 1989 🇺🇸) Bonnie Raitt’s rebirth in the late 80s was a win for all music fans. Those who had followed her career since the 70s could witness a talented musician enjoy a second chance and those of us - who had no idea who she was - just accepted her at face value. Her presence was confident and cool, but that visage came from years of struggle. The album title was apt: Bonnie Raitt took one of her last shots and made it stick.