Greg Kot

Co-host @soundopinions. Former music critic at Chicago Tribune. Author of 7 books, including "I'll Take You There." Teaching music and democracy at U of C.

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

When an artist or band releases a stellar debut LP, the toughest task ahead of them is how to at least equal if not top it on the second go-round. On @soundopinions we select some of our favorite follow-up albums: https://t.co/rMe39gibiD

[Brian Hurst @soulandjazz]

#BOTW is served c/o @SimonBooks, @gregkot: 'I'll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, and the Music That Shaped the Civil Rights Era' (2014) ▶️ https://t.co/mfsnNRsKjz Book of the Week #TakeAMoment #Felfedez Enjoy!

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

https://t.co/FnpyWypSS7

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

We all have to start somewhere, and with jazz, & Sonny Rollins (RIP), it was "Newk's Time" (1959). I was drawn to it because it included a cover of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Surrey with the Fringe on Top," familiar to me because my parents loved Broadway tunes. Sonny's ... (1/2)

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

...version includes fierce give & take with drummer Philly Joe Jones. Decades later Sonny headlined the Chicago Jazzfest & turned another show tune, Irving Berlin's "They Say It's Wonderful," upside down, once again drawing me in & taking me out. Thanks for the music, Newk. (2/2)

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

“Life isn’t about finding yourself or finding anything. Life is about creating yourself & creating things.”
A few words on Bob Dylan at 85:
https://t.co/B1rMzKWQJz

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

A @soundopinions classic album dissection of the Violent Femmes' 1983 debut LP: https://t.co/UfBQUNgNIL
And a few words from me about how the Femmes broke out of one of the Midwest's coolest scenes (Milwaukee!): https://t.co/gsYrVZt3TZ

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

Chicago's answer to Big Star and Alex Chilton was/is Green and Jeff Lescher. I explain why here:

https://t.co/ftO2xHeeJq

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

@elfary74 @rickbeato @YouTube @joncaramanica Thanks for the kind words. I can actually play piano (classical) and read musical notations, but you're correct in saying that has little or no bearing on listening to pop/rock music and writing about it.

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

Farewell, Sam Sianis, the Greek immigrant whose Billy Goat tavern was a 2nd home for Chicago journos. When I was hired by the Trib, I felt like I'd arrived when I'd walk down the steps, made a right & was greeted by a cold PBR sliding my way from the end of the bar. Cheers, Sam.

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

@MadManMtn Amen

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

Lou Reed had high hopes for his music: "that 10 years from now you could still listen to one of my albums because it wasn’t just a party record, but something that would engage you emotionally, intellectually, if not spiritually, on the level that a novel can." Links in comments

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

Our @soundopinions chat with Reed biographer Will Hermes:
https://t.co/VwgSV0WX7Q

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

The full quote from Lou: https://t.co/yieOq68tIf

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

Ratboys interview: https://t.co/Ad16sP0806

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

Ratboys continue their decade-long roll with new album "Singin’ to an Empty Chair." Singer-songwriter Julie Steiner lays out the band's story in the
@soundopinions interview (linked in comments).

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

@brad_altman @MarkCaro 😂

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

Our @soundopinions interview with the prolific billy woods:
https://t.co/89tDqdfy42
And a few words about what makes him an era-defining MC:
https://t.co/d5iLLhui1d

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

James Gadson (RIP) made records groove, starting with his classic drum breaks for Charles Wright & the 103rd Street Rhythm Band. Also an ace songwriter/singer. Kelly Hogan's brilliant "I Like to Keep Myself in Pain" LP has JG all over it. More spiel here: https://t.co/5yMBdytOj5

[Greg Kot @gregkot]

Long overdue....
"The judge will determine remedies in a separate proceeding. That could include divestments by Live Nation, or a breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster — an outcome that the federal govt had called for when filing its case two years ago."
https://t.co/2l4RyJuDDY