Author Archives: Dennis Lamar

The Backroom 5.16.23

The beefy center of this musical dish is a tribute to Chris Strachwitz, the founder of Arhoolie Records, who left us this month at the age of 91, richer for his exploits to discover and document roots music. Also, a bit of intuition and a musical weather nod to the the pneumonia front that ripped

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The Backroom 5.02.23

A mental health day in The Backroom, with a focus on McLean Hospital (Belmont, MA), after a professor unearthed an old thesis about the hospital and its grounds written by my mother. It may yet see a wider audience! Dennis Lamar

The Backroom 4.25.23

Getting over the bird flu (again) … sending Harry Belafonte away on the banana boat … foraging for ramps … and new music from the Daptone label. Plus, getting psyched for a retro southern rock weekend show at the casino. Dennis Lamar

The Backroom 4.18.23

Tax Day, 2023. Music to inspire your (legal) creativity and help vent your frustrations. Taxed to the Max — Tower of Power Income Tax — Wasnatch Taxes — The Duke of Iron I.R.S. — Buckwheat Zydeco 1040 Blues — The Robert Cray Band Luxury Tax Blues — Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson I.R.S. — Angie Fisher F**k

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The Backroom 4.11.23

Back from North Carolina with a cd in hand, by Mellow Swells, plus new/classic funk! North Carolina — Poets of Rhythm Carolina — 56 Hope Road Would Up — Mellow Swells Can’t You See — The Marshall Tucker Band North Carolina — Robben Ford 20 Years Gone — The Mood Kings Trill seekers — Remco

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The Backroom 4.04.23

Holy week starts bizarrely with the arraignment of a former president. Plenty of Passover fun and music for Easter, too! Handcuffs — Parliament On a Monday — Pete Seeger & Arlo Guthrie Here Comes the Judge — Pigmeat Markham Above the Law — The O’Jays Funky Judge — The J. Geils Band Go Down, Moses

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