Leon Russell

Sneak Peek: First Press Arizona Wine Auction

For $250 a person, you're probably wondering what is in store at the First Press Wine Auction on February 16 at the Montelucia Resort. If the 5-course dinner and paired wines sound predictable you should know that you'll also get to preview distinctive wines and live auction lots and silent auction ... More >>

Leon Russell: One True Rock 'n' Roll Badass

Leon Russell is the definition of the term "session man." He's played with Bob Dylan, Elton John, Ray Charles, Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, The Beach Boys, George Harrison, and more. He's a "musician's musician," admired by the guys you admire, and his solo albums have found him exploring the sounds ... More >>

Blake Mills: Fiona Apple's Guitarist Makes Killer Pop on His Own

Blake Mills isn't a household name, but like classic sidemen of lore (David Lindley, Ry Cooder, Leon Russell), he's makes an impact wherever he shows up. As a guitarist in Fiona Apple's band (he's performing with her on Tuesday, September 18, at Mesa Arts Center), Lucinda Williams, Cass McCombs, B ... More >>

Scottsdale's Canyon Club Closes, Misfits and Leon Russell Shows Moved

​Less than two months ago, we announced the arrival of North Scottsdale's Canyon Club. Just as the venue began gaining ground with music fans, we received word that the venue has officially closed. No further explanation was offered. For now, some of the venue's previously scheduled shows ha ... More >>

Canyon Club to Bring The Misfits, Leon Russell, Poco, and More to Scottsdale

The Misfits​2011 is the year that music geeks finally beat the jocks. When it comes to Valley bars, live music fans seem to be gaining the upper hand. The Red Owl announced its sports grill to music venue conversion earlier this week and now the Canyon Club, formerly Fox Sports Grill in the Scott ... More >>

July 15 In Blogs: Russell Pearce, Brad Armstrong, The Misfits, Latitude Eight, and Rebecca Nalepa

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Bon Iver Fleet Foxes The Walkmen Comerica Theatre = Indie Rock Pants Wetting

Bon Iver​ In case you've missed practically every noteworthy blog hyping it, or didn't watch The Colbert Report last night, here's some news: Bon Iver, the band, released Bon Iver, the album, today. It's the band's second outing, and technically the first that was recorded as a band and not just ... More >>

Leon Russell

Leon Russell

The Dude to Make an Album

​As everyone knows, The Dude was in the music business, briefly. As a roadie for Metallica during the Speed Of Sound tour. The band was, reportedly, a bunch of assholes.Now the Dude, using his professional alias Jeff Bridges, will record an album with Oscar and Grammy award winner T-Bone Burnett f ... More >>

Incoming: Cage The Elephant, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Eisley, Motley Crüe, Poison

Who's the one they call Dr. Feelgood?​There are lots of three and four-word band names among this week's just announced shows -- Cage The Elephant, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Panic! at the Disco, to name a few. However, as someone who is utterly fascinated with hair metal and early 1980's Sunset Stri ... More >>

The Odd Life of Nude Piano Man Sweet Pie

Elton John and Leon Russell at US Airways Center Last Night

Maria Vassett​Elton John November 6, 2010 US Airways Center Elton John and Leon Russell let their fingers do the talking at last night's show at the US Airways Center. John was, of course, the main attraction and the singer's solo set was hit after hit, satisfying a crowd full of people who want ... More >>

Elton John and Leon Russell @ US Airways Center

Best Coast, Bad Religion, Exposé, and More in This Week's Issue

Best Coast's L.A. sound is as colorful as her L.A. home.​Bethany Cosentino, vocalist of the pop band Best Coast, says her band radiates lo-fi California warmth. Best Coast is perfecting the sounds of sunshine, and they're working with producer Bobb Bruno, king of the Los Angeles underground scene. ... More >>

Elton John and Leon Russell

Elvis Costello: National Ransom

​Artist: Elvis Costello Title: National Ransom Release date: November 2 Label: Hear Music I really wish it weren't the case, but I'd have to file the new record by Elvis Costello under "For Completists Only" (of which I'm sure there many when it comes to Elvis Costello fans). If you heard hi ... More >>

Leon Russell at The Rhythm Room on 7/6/10

​ "In all the times he's played here, I think he's said maybe three words to me," Bob Corritore, proprietor of the Rhythm Room mused last night about Leon Russell, who literally rolled into the Phoenix blues bar last night (Russell piloted a Rascal Scooter off the tour bus) to deliver a set of fun ... More >>

The Summer Set, Leon Russell, Cheap Trick, and More in This Week's Issue

The Summer Set: Not so original, but still kickin' out the jams.​This week's music feature is on The Summer Set, and their unapologetically unoriginal music that's still worth a listen.The oft overlooked Leon Russell is working on a new collaboration with the likes of T-Bone Burnett, Elton John, a ... More >>

Leon Russell: The Legendary Sideman Is an Imposing Presence

Leon Russell

The Legendary Sideman Is an Imposing Presence

Incoming: Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, American Idol, Lilith Fair, Limp Bizkit

These young people play popular rock music.​Zomg, you guys! This week's show announcements include the Jonas Brothers with Demi Lovato. If that news doesn't make your day, then I don't know what to tell you. What's that you say? Jonas Brothers not quite your bag? Well then let Limp Bizkit, Ice Cub ... More >>

T.A.M.I. Show DVD Release Is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Time Capsule

Shout Factory​For all its merits of recognizing artists' contributions to modern music, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, by rule, honors musicians for work they created at least a quarter-century earlier. Thus, you have creaky 50- or 60-year-olds performing the music of their youth at the inductio ... More >>

The Grammy's Top 10 Moments

Beyonce also did a version of Alanis' "You Oughtta Know" when she played Phoenix last summer.​ This year's Grammy's ceremony was full of instances that just made you scratch your head, furl your brow, and go, "Really?!?" Whether it was a pleasantly surprised reaction, a hearty laugh, or a look of ... More >>

Leon Russell

Incoming: Dierks Bentley, Jello Biafra, fun., Brian Setzer

​ If you missed local boy Dierks Bentley's opening set at the Brad Paisley show this week you're in luck, as the Feel That Fire singer will be back in town in less than two months. The show is at Tempe Marketplace -- but is ticketed -- so it should be interesting to see how that works out, since w ... More >>

Rihanna, Katy Perry, Fall Out Boy and Pussycat Dolls coming for Phooson fest on Dec. 5

Flo Rida Comes to Venue of Scottsdale on Nov. 1

Baristas, Bartenders and Bouncers: Rhythm Room's Mona Lisa

“You can’t fight this ass”: Johnette Napolitano at Hilton Garden Inn

Letters from the issue of Thursday, March 6, 2008

Leon Russell

Eve of Reconstruction

Jerry Riopelle rocks on

King Me

Jason Hill thinks Louis XIV deserves to be rock royalty

J.J. Cale

Subpoena Me!

The record industry thinks I'm a criminal. Here's the evidence.

Various Artists

American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs (RCA)

Blonde Faith

More than a decade after its lone pop hit, a reunited Concrete Blonde engages in another round of Group Therapy

Life of Riley

Sun Records' rock 'n' roll pioneer survives cult-hero status

Obsessions, Passions, Perversions

New Times music critics reveal their deepest, darkest record-buying secrets

Happy Trails

Legendary record producer Snuff Garrett turned his back on Hollywood for a piece of the Arizona cowboy myth