Bill Kopp
@musoscribe.bsky.social
Music-focused writer, speaker, author of two books (and a third on the way), 1300+ interviews, 5000+ features, 2500+ reviews. Nearly all archived at blog.musoscribe.com where I post 365 days a year.
Reposted by Bill Kopp
Writer Bill Kopp's book 'What's the Big Idea' examines concept albums across six decades, from Frank Zappa to Apples In Stereo, William Shatner to Ghostface Killah, arguing that the format remains vital in an era of streaming and short attention spans.
High Concept — Bill Kopp Tackles the Big Idea:
High Concept — Bill Kopp Tackles the Big Idea:
High Concept — Bill Kopp Tackles the Big Idea
Music writer Bill Kopp's new book 'What's the Big Idea' examines 30 concept albums across six decades, from Frank Zappa to Apples In Stereo, William Shatner to Ghostface Killah, arguing that the format remains vital in an era of streaming and shortened attention spans.
www.thetonearm.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Writer Bill Kopp's book 'What's the Big Idea' examines concept albums across six decades, from Frank Zappa to Apples In Stereo, William Shatner to Ghostface Killah, arguing that the format remains vital in an era of streaming and short attention spans.
High Concept — Bill Kopp Tackles the Big Idea:
High Concept — Bill Kopp Tackles the Big Idea:
Today on Musoscribe: My interview with Dave Meniketti of long-running hard rock/heavy metal band Y&T. He talks about the band's history, and the challenges of building a set list. “There are only so many minutes in a set," he says. "And we have a lot of classics.” blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
Y&T: Back to Basics
Hard rock and heavy metal has gone through many phases. It has gone in and out of fashion, and endured the so-called “hair metal” era of the ‘80s. But for true believers, the style has never lost its ...
blog.musoscribe.com
April 2, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Today on Musoscribe: My interview with Dave Meniketti of long-running hard rock/heavy metal band Y&T. He talks about the band's history, and the challenges of building a set list. “There are only so many minutes in a set," he says. "And we have a lot of classics.” blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
One can never get enough SUN RA. Today on Musoscribe, I take a look at 'Lights on a Satellite: Live at the Left Bank,' a new archival release from the man from Saturn.
Album Review: Sun Ra – Lights on a Satellite: Live at the Left Bank
As acclaimed music journalist and critic J.D. Considine emphasizes in his liner notes for Lights on a Satellite: Live at the Left Bank, “people were more likely to have heard of [Sun Ra] that they wer...
blog.musoscribe.com
March 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM
One can never get enough SUN RA. Today on Musoscribe, I take a look at 'Lights on a Satellite: Live at the Left Bank,' a new archival release from the man from Saturn.
My interview with Dream Theater's Jordan Rudess, discussing the band's new album 'Parasomnia' and the return of drummer Mike Portnoy. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
Dream Theater’s Third Act Commences with ‘Parasomnia’
With founding drummer back in the fold, progressive metal heroes return for 16th studio album
One of prog-metal’s most acclaimed groups has returned to its roots – and its most celebrated lineup – fo...
blog.musoscribe.com
February 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
My interview with Dream Theater's Jordan Rudess, discussing the band's new album 'Parasomnia' and the return of drummer Mike Portnoy. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
My review of a great new VINYL-ONLY release, a compilation/soundtrack album of music from the recent documentary "The Elephant 6 Recording Co." Lots of great previously-unheard music within, including songs from the never-finished third Olivia Tremor Control album blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
Album Review: The Elephant 6 Recording Co.
Launched in Louisiana and with connections to Memphis, the Elephant 6 Collective is thought of as a kind of follow-on from the Athens, Georgia musical community that brought forth the B-52’s, R.E.M., ...
blog.musoscribe.com
February 20, 2025 at 2:50 PM
My review of a great new VINYL-ONLY release, a compilation/soundtrack album of music from the recent documentary "The Elephant 6 Recording Co." Lots of great previously-unheard music within, including songs from the never-finished third Olivia Tremor Control album blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
My current feature in this week's @metrosiliconvalley.bsky.social : a conversation with norteño heroes Los Tigres del Norte. Bajo sexto player Luis Hernández on the band's tradition of speaking out against anti-immigrant rhetoric by people like you-know-who www.metrosiliconvalley.com/los-tigres-d...
Los Tigres del Norte Represent in Words and Music
Los Tigres del Norte are about more than music. “We represent all the paisanos who came along into the U.S.,” says guitarist Luis Hernández.
www.metrosiliconvalley.com
February 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM
My current feature in this week's @metrosiliconvalley.bsky.social : a conversation with norteño heroes Los Tigres del Norte. Bajo sexto player Luis Hernández on the band's tradition of speaking out against anti-immigrant rhetoric by people like you-know-who www.metrosiliconvalley.com/los-tigres-d...
My recent feature/interview with Asheville NC-based Steely Dan tribute band Dirty Logic. What they do, why they do it, why you should see and hear 'em. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
Dirty Logic: Reelin' in the Classics
The recent interest in so-called “yacht rock” – brought about thanks to a new HBO documentary on the subject – has brought the names of several bands from the ‘70s back into the public consciousness. ...
blog.musoscribe.com
February 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
My recent feature/interview with Asheville NC-based Steely Dan tribute band Dirty Logic. What they do, why they do it, why you should see and hear 'em. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
Fantastic book exploring busking, by Cary Baker. Here's my review blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
Book Review: Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking & Street Music
Busking has a long, storied and often proud history. The practice of performing music in public spaces – ostensibly for free, presumably for tips – has been part of the fabric of music since time imme...
blog.musoscribe.com
February 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Fantastic book exploring busking, by Cary Baker. Here's my review blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
My recent feature/interview with innovative avant-garde harpist (and Asheville native) Mary Lattimore. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
The Music of Mary Lattimore: 'Not Just for Doing Yoga'
Outside of classical and Celtic music, the harp isn’t widely heard. But in the hands of Asheville native Mary Lattimore, the massive, stringed acoustic instrument has become the centerpiece of a body ...
blog.musoscribe.com
January 23, 2025 at 8:34 PM
My recent feature/interview with innovative avant-garde harpist (and Asheville native) Mary Lattimore. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
My 2024 best-of list, new release division. Music from Kula Shaker, Sykofant, Blake Jones & the Trike Shop, Half/Cubes, Jon Anderson and the Band of Geeks, Trees Speak. Happy Holidays. Reviews of all via the link. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
Musoscribe’s Best of 2024: New Releases
Everybody has their favorite new releases of each year; here are mine. This year I reviewed nearly 120 new releases. As per usual, the list reflects my particular interests, so you won’t find any main...
blog.musoscribe.com
December 24, 2024 at 8:52 PM
My 2024 best-of list, new release division. Music from Kula Shaker, Sykofant, Blake Jones & the Trike Shop, Half/Cubes, Jon Anderson and the Band of Geeks, Trees Speak. Happy Holidays. Reviews of all via the link. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
My Best of 2024 List, Reissue/archival titles: UFO, Badfinger's Pete Ham, Chick Corea, King Crimson, and one you probably haven't heard of: The Brat. Details at link. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
Musoscribe's Best of 2024: Reissue/archival
From my perspective, 2024 has been another great year for reissues and archival releases. I've reviewed nearly 60 of 'em since January 1. Among those, there are five titles that stand out above the re...
blog.musoscribe.com
December 23, 2024 at 1:16 PM
My Best of 2024 List, Reissue/archival titles: UFO, Badfinger's Pete Ham, Chick Corea, King Crimson, and one you probably haven't heard of: The Brat. Details at link. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
My two-part Avett Brothers feature -- about the recent Broadway musical 'Swept Away,' based on their concept album 'Mignonette' -- is online now. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
The Avett Brothers and ‘Swept Away’ – Banjos on Broadway or, Quite a Concept to Digest (Part 1 of 2)
A lightly edited version of this feature – with a different title – appeared previously in SPIN.
In the 1880s, a yacht sank off South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The few survivors resorted to canniba...
blog.musoscribe.com
December 20, 2024 at 8:40 PM
My two-part Avett Brothers feature -- about the recent Broadway musical 'Swept Away,' based on their concept album 'Mignonette' -- is online now. blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/20...
Jon Anderson parted ways with YES in 2004. But listen to his new album "True,"and it feels like they're all still together. Here's my review.
Album Review: Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks – True
Let’s start with the bad, getting it out of the way since there’s very little of it. The cover art for Jon Anderson's latest album is at best uninspired. And as amazingly talented as they are, his ban...
blog.musoscribe.com
December 5, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Jon Anderson parted ways with YES in 2004. But listen to his new album "True,"and it feels like they're all still together. Here's my review.
Here's the third and final part of my big Let's Active feature/interview. Once again, big thanks to Mitchell Blake Easter, Tammy Easter and DD Thornton Kenny as well. I will always treasure memories of that 2021 celebration.
Edge of the World: Let’s Active at 40 (Part 3 of 3)
Continued from Part Two...
Easter initially liked what he knew of the I.R.S. business model. “I liked it from a practical standpoint,” he says. “But I had a very cavalier attitude about it.” He says ...
blog.musoscribe.com
November 22, 2024 at 12:35 PM
Here's the third and final part of my big Let's Active feature/interview. Once again, big thanks to Mitchell Blake Easter, Tammy Easter and DD Thornton Kenny as well. I will always treasure memories of that 2021 celebration.
Legendary producer Mitch Easter may be best known for his work with R.E.M., but his band with Sara Romweber and Faye Hunter was an important and beloved part of the indie rock of the 1980s. And he tells that story in this feature/interview. Here's part 2 of 3.
Edge of the World: Let’s Active at 40 (Part 2 of 3)
Continued from Part One...
Easter looks back at that period – now thought of as the dawn of “college rock” or alternative rock – as a musically freewheeling time when the possibilities were open-ende...
blog.musoscribe.com
November 21, 2024 at 7:07 PM
Legendary producer Mitch Easter may be best known for his work with R.E.M., but his band with Sara Romweber and Faye Hunter was an important and beloved part of the indie rock of the 1980s. And he tells that story in this feature/interview. Here's part 2 of 3.
Three years ago, Mitch Easter and friends mounted a Let's Active celebration, honoring departed members Sara Romweber and Faye Hunter. On that occasion I interviewed Mitch, and wrote a feature about the group. After a ridiculous delay, I present that story, in three parts. Here's the first. Enjoy!
Edge of the World: Let’s Active at 40 (Part 1 of 3)
NOTE: This feature was originally commissioned by a print magazine in 2022, never to appear. After three years on that merry-go-round I've decided instead to publish it here on Musoscribe. Sincere tha...
blog.musoscribe.com
November 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Three years ago, Mitch Easter and friends mounted a Let's Active celebration, honoring departed members Sara Romweber and Faye Hunter. On that occasion I interviewed Mitch, and wrote a feature about the group. After a ridiculous delay, I present that story, in three parts. Here's the first. Enjoy!
Canned Heat has been making music since the mid '60s. Their latest album is titled 'Finyl Vinyl.' Does that portend the end of their run? I don't know the answer, but if so, this album would see them going out on a strong note, one that takes stock of their history. Here's my review.
Album Review: Canned Heat – Finyl Vinyl
Canned Heat began as a group in 1965. The Los Angeles-based blues band quickly became renowned for its deep, encyclopedic understanding of (and appreciation for) the blues. Alan Wilson and Bob “The Be...
blog.musoscribe.com
November 19, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Canned Heat has been making music since the mid '60s. Their latest album is titled 'Finyl Vinyl.' Does that portend the end of their run? I don't know the answer, but if so, this album would see them going out on a strong note, one that takes stock of their history. Here's my review.
In 2018 I wrote my first book, about Pink Floyd's early years. Not long ago I had the pleasure of interviewing @davidgilmour.com.web.brid.gy for SPIN. Very recently I had the thrill of seeing him in concert at MSG (review coming soon). Today I share my review of 'Luck and Strange,' his new album.
Album Review: David Gilmour -- Luck and Strange
Releasing his first studio album in nearly nine years, guitarist David Gilmour continues his creatively fruitful journey beyond Pink Floyd. While Gilmour made his name as a member of that group – effe...
blog.musoscribe.com
November 18, 2024 at 5:31 PM
In 2018 I wrote my first book, about Pink Floyd's early years. Not long ago I had the pleasure of interviewing @davidgilmour.com.web.brid.gy for SPIN. Very recently I had the thrill of seeing him in concert at MSG (review coming soon). Today I share my review of 'Luck and Strange,' his new album.
Twice monthly (for five-plus years now on the 1st & 15th) I publish "30 Days Out," a quick preview of notable upcoming live music in and around Asheville NC (my adopted hometown). In this roundup: Jim Lauderdale, Rock N Roll Rewind, John Doyle & Mick McAuley, Patterson Hood. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC.
30 Days Out, Nov. 2024 #2: Jim Lauderdale, Rock N Roll Rewind, John Doyle & Mick McAuley, Patterson Hood
Some beloved sons of the South populate the musical landscape in Asheville over the coming 30 days. An adopted local (via Ireland) and some Asheville-based acts upholding the rock ‘n’ roll tradition r...
blog.musoscribe.com
November 17, 2024 at 3:01 PM
Twice monthly (for five-plus years now on the 1st & 15th) I publish "30 Days Out," a quick preview of notable upcoming live music in and around Asheville NC (my adopted hometown). In this roundup: Jim Lauderdale, Rock N Roll Rewind, John Doyle & Mick McAuley, Patterson Hood. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC.
Shel Talmy made quite a mark on music during his time on this planet. I'm grateful for having had the opportunity to interview him.
An American in London: The Shel Talmy Interview, Part One
In the history of rock and pop, it's rare that a producer becomes a “rock star.” Certain names have become prominent fixtures in the audio part of pop culture: Phil Spector and George Martin are among...
blog.musoscribe.com
November 14, 2024 at 10:26 PM
Shel Talmy made quite a mark on music during his time on this planet. I'm grateful for having had the opportunity to interview him.
You might say that I've got another thing comin': Part Two of my interview with Judas Priest's Ian Hill. "Back then in the late ‘60s, the thought of somebody jigging about on stage at 72? 'No, people die when they’re 72!'”
Judas Priest’s Ian Hill: Bassist for the High Priests of Metal (Part 2 of 2)
Continued from Part One...
Some bands find success with an album and spend the rest of their careers making that record over and over again. Judas Priest has been consistent; you always seemed to be ...
blog.musoscribe.com
November 14, 2024 at 6:56 PM
You might say that I've got another thing comin': Part Two of my interview with Judas Priest's Ian Hill. "Back then in the late ‘60s, the thought of somebody jigging about on stage at 72? 'No, people die when they’re 72!'”
Starting over from scratch here. I'm an author, speaker and full time music journalist. I post 365 days a year at blog.musoscribe.com. Today's post is Part 1 of my Q&A with bassist Ian Hill of Judas Priest.
Judas Priest’s Ian Hill: Bassist for the High Priests of Metal (Part 1 of 2)
Judas Priest roared out of industrial Birmingham, England in the early 1970s. Once the group found its footing – bringing on powerful, operatic and charismatic lead singer Rob Halford – Judas Priest’s...
blog.musoscribe.com
November 13, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Starting over from scratch here. I'm an author, speaker and full time music journalist. I post 365 days a year at blog.musoscribe.com. Today's post is Part 1 of my Q&A with bassist Ian Hill of Judas Priest.