If you like jazz fusion and you’re a fan of Santana, this week’s hot ticket is for Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder, the main attraction Saturday night at Jazzbones. Shrieve’s place in rock history was secured at a young age, thanks to his stint with Santana and an epic performance at Woodstock, as captured in the legendary concert film. Click the links below to compare and contrast how the guy played back then and the prog' sounds he'll showcase this weekend at the Boneyard.

Andrew Bird's "Armchair Apocrypha" was one of my favorite discs of 2007. And if you're like me and can't wait for follow-up album "Noble Beast," due on Jan. 20, you should click this link to listen to NPR's exclusive preview. The melodies are gorgeous. That haunting whistling is back. I like what I hear so far.

As you Stooges fans out there may have already heard or read elsewhere, guitarist Ron Asheton was found dead at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan last night. Read the Rolling Stone report here.

Sad news for sure, but I'm glad that I at least had the privilege of catching up with Ron before the Stooges' comeback tour brought the infamous and highly influential outfit to Seattle in 2007. Click here to listen to what he had to say on that day about his band's legacy, being a musical outsider and hooking back up with Iggy Pop and brother, Scott, for the tour in '07.