Killer Mike

June 2023 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency

Screenshot of the trailer of Deutsche Oper Berlin’s production of Turandot by There Stands the Glass.

Top Ten Albums of June

1. Aja Monet- When the Poems Do What They Do

My review.

2. Young Thug- Business is Business

Money.

3. Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa- Jarak Qaribak

Old country.

4. Orrin Evans- The Red Door

Unlocked.

5. Tanya Tucker- Sweet Western Sound

Blood red and goin’ down.

6. Deer Tick- Emotional Contracts

Exile on Mean Street.

7. Ambrose Akinmusire- Beauty is Enough

Perhaps.

8. Pat Metheny- Dream Box

My review.

9. Meshell Ndegeocello- The Omnichord Real Book

Post-genre.

10. Killer Mike- Michael

Deadly.


Top Ten Songs of June

1. Joshua Ray Walker- "Cuz I Love You"

What a time to be alive.

2. Big Freedia- "Gin In My System"

Bounce.

3. Don Omar- "Carcelero"

Jailhouse rock.

4. Rufus Wainwright and Chaka Khan- “Cotton Eyed Joe”

Where did you come from?

5. Kelly Clarkson- “rock hudson”

Pillow talk.

6. Militarie Gun- “My Friends Are Having a Hard Time”

Time tough.

7. Joanna Sternberg- "I Will Be with You"

Hi, how are you?

8. Bettye LaVette featuring Anthony Hamilton, Ray Parker Jr. and Rev. Charles Hodges- “Sooner or Later”

The time is now.

9. Peso Pluma- "BZRP #55"

Wise guy.

10. Lil Uzi Vert- "Rehab"

No no no.


Top Ten Performances of June

1. Boulevardia, day one (Cimafunk, Steddy P, the Beths)

My review.

2. Nickel Creek and Gaby Moreno at Muriel Kauffman Theatre

My review.

3. Devin Gray, Maria Elena Silva and the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society at Firehouse Gallery #8

My review.

4. Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye at Muriel Kauffman Theatre

My review.

5. Donald Harrison’s “The Jazz of Physics: Quantum Improvisation” at the Folly Theater

My Instagram snapshot.

6. Boulevardia day two (Big Freedia, the Salvation Choir, Peter Schlamb)

My review.

7. Chalis O’Neal at the Blue Room

My Instagram clip.

8. Danielle Nicole Band at Town Center Plaza

My Instagram clip.

9. Frederick Hodges’ “Music Will Win the War” at the National WWI Museum and Memorial

My Instagram clip.

10. Sarah Tannehill Anderson and Elizabeth Suh Lane at Loose Park

My Instagram clip.



The previous monthly survey is here.

April 2023 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency

Screenshot of the Irish National Opera’s trailer for Werther by There Stands the Glass.

Top Ten Albums of April

1. Tilo Weber- Tesserae

My review.

2. Zsófia Boros- El último aliento

My review.

3. El Michels Affair and Black Thought- Glorious Game

Roots-y.

4. Adam Larson- With Love, From New York City

My review.

5. Tee Grizzley and Skilla Baby- Controversy

Detroit lions.

6. Thomas Adès- Dante

Hell, purgatory and paradise.

7. Danish String Quartet- Prism V

Bach, Beethoven and Webern.

8. YoungBoy Never Broke Again- Don’t Try This at Home

Untold riches.

9. Brandee Younger- Brand New Life

Starting over.

10. Kiko El Crazy- Pila’e Teteo

Dembow frenzy.


Top Ten Songs of April

1. Shirley Collins- “High and Away”

Storm’s a-brewin’.

2. Margo Price and Particle Kid- “Hands on the Wheel”

I feel like going home.

3. Smokey Robinson- "Beside You"

Cruisin’.

4. Stik Figa featuring Blu and The Expert- "Uknowhut?"

What?

5. Killer Mike featuring El-P and thankugoodsir- "Don't Let the Devil"

Nobody speak.

6. MC Yallah- "No One Seems to Bother"

The truest type of world music.

7. Thundercat and Tame Impala- "No More Lies"

Truth.

8. Armani White and A$AP Ferg- “Silver Tooth”

Novocain.

9. NLE Choppa- "Talk Different"

Money changes everything.

10. Jessie Ware- “Begin Again”

Age of Aquarius.


Top Ten Concerts of April

1. Jean-Yves Thibaudet at the Folly Theater

My Instagram photo.

2. Adam Larson, Matt Clohesy and Jimmy Macbride at Westport Coffee House

My Instagram clip.

3. Willi Carlisle and Betse & Clarke at Knuckleheads

My Instagram photo.

4. John Mellencamp at the Midland theater

My Instagram clip.

5. Drew Williams, Seth Davis and Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House

My Instagram clip.

6. Booker T. Jones at the Folly Theater

My review.

7. Joseph Genualdi at Grant Recital Hall

My Instagram photo.

8. Anne-Marie McDermott’s master class at Grant Recital Hall

My notes.

9. Thomas Lacy at Southminster Presbyterian Church

My Instagram clip.

10. Nate Nall, Matt Hopper and Joey Panella at the Market at Meadowbrook

My Instagram photo.

The previous monthly survey is here.