By Bob Deakin What a pleasant surprise. At least the first half of the album. I can’t believe I never heard In The Pocket after all...

Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December, But the days grow short, When you reach September

No way could I play “The Beverly Hillbillies” or anything by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. But somehow it worked.

Cont. In addition to songwriters, I called authors. I reached out to author T.C. Boyle last year when I was getting near the end of my...

I first wrote about Ken Ascher by mentioning his and Paul Williams’ name in my Unruly Mix book last summer. In the story, I wrote about...

First song: Very nice. Rest of the album: OK. Donald Fagen’s album Morph the Cat, released in March 2006 provides good listening pleasure...

Nick Heyward's North of a Miracle was originally released in 1983 following his success with British band Haircut 100. It epitomized the...

Motown legend and singer Marvin Gaye would have turned 83 years old earlier this month if not for his tragic murder at the hands of his...

Ken Ascher is a studio guy. Certain musicians’ names show up on albums, giving the project instant credibility: Larry Carlton, James...

I answered my phone Saturday night, not knowing who it was, and it wasn’t about an automobile warranty. It was Ken Ascher. You might not...

"Let me have some coffee and then I'll listen," said a groggy voice-like that of a mother to a child who rises early and eager on a...

By Bob Deakin My prayers for Mike Nesmith and his family. I didn’t know him, but I wish I did. He left us in December, but he left us...

Halloween is almost here. Just two days until the big day, and who knows what’s in store this year.

My story “You and Me Against the World” is centered around the great song Paul Williams and Ken Ascher wrote for Helen Reddy in the 70s.

By Bob Deakin Most everybody's got seed to sow It ain't always easy for a weed to grow, no, no I’m the walking man these days, and thanks...