Robert C. Gilbert
@listeningsessions1.bsky.social
Toronto-born and Oshawa-based music critic & record collector. Subscribe to my music newsletter on Substack: www.listeningsessions.ca. Looking for a writer? Email me at [email protected]
Pinned
McCoy Tyner and the Thrill of Discovery
On jazz connections and the pianist's sixties stint on Impulse!
www.listeningsessions.ca
New from me - thinking back to when I was first getting into jazz and how I quickly connected to the music of the John Coltrane Quartet, especially the playing of McCoy Tyner. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/mccoy-tyne...
New from me - thinking back to when I was first getting into jazz and how I quickly connected to the music of the John Coltrane Quartet, especially the playing of McCoy Tyner. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/mccoy-tyne...
McCoy Tyner and the Thrill of Discovery
On jazz connections and the pianist's sixties stint on Impulse!
www.listeningsessions.ca
January 23, 2026 at 3:14 PM
New from me - thinking back to when I was first getting into jazz and how I quickly connected to the music of the John Coltrane Quartet, especially the playing of McCoy Tyner. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/mccoy-tyne...
First essay of the year. I look at the recordings that Del Shannon made in 1966 - a fascinating collection of music by an artist looking to change and arguably struggling to do so. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/del-shanno...
Del Shannon in 1966
Two album-length portraits of the artistic struggle
www.listeningsessions.ca
January 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM
First essay of the year. I look at the recordings that Del Shannon made in 1966 - a fascinating collection of music by an artist looking to change and arguably struggling to do so. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/del-shanno...
New from me - my attempt at summing up the year in music (highlighting the albums that I enjoyed the most) and words (the essays I wrote this year that I think hold up the best). Happy New Year to one and all! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/2025-in-mu...
2025 in Music and Words
Toasting the year that was
www.listeningsessions.ca
December 30, 2025 at 3:21 PM
New from me - my attempt at summing up the year in music (highlighting the albums that I enjoyed the most) and words (the essays I wrote this year that I think hold up the best). Happy New Year to one and all! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/2025-in-mu...
New from me - thoughts on the music of Christmas for 2025. Many delights here! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/another-tr...
Another Trip Around the World of the Music of Christmas
More reflections on the sounds of the season
www.listeningsessions.ca
December 20, 2025 at 3:39 PM
New from me - thoughts on the music of Christmas for 2025. Many delights here! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/another-tr...
It's Christmas-music season in the record room and here's the first of two essays I am offering this year on the ongoing festive soundtrack. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/i-dream-of...
I Dream of a Carpenters' Christmas
Of Karen and Richard Carpenters' odes to the season
www.listeningsessions.ca
December 6, 2025 at 3:23 PM
It's Christmas-music season in the record room and here's the first of two essays I am offering this year on the ongoing festive soundtrack. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/i-dream-of...
New from me - I wrote about the Mamas and the Papas’ second album way back in 2022. After revisiting the LP recently, I decided to revise my essay a bit and re-share. Enjoy! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/the-mamas-...
November 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
New from me - I wrote about the Mamas and the Papas’ second album way back in 2022. After revisiting the LP recently, I decided to revise my essay a bit and re-share. Enjoy! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/the-mamas-...
New from me - I recently spent ten days on a solo trip to New York, and wrote up a bit of a travelogue of my music adventures while I was in NYC. In short, New York remains an amazing city that vibes with my heart and soul. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/ten-days-i...
Ten Days in New York
Music adventures in the city that never sleeps
www.listeningsessions.ca
November 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
New from me - I recently spent ten days on a solo trip to New York, and wrote up a bit of a travelogue of my music adventures while I was in NYC. In short, New York remains an amazing city that vibes with my heart and soul. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/ten-days-i...
New from me - 10 new albums I think you will dig a lot. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/ten-new-al...
Ten New Albums for Your To-Listen Pile
A new installment of Listening Sessions' recurring series on new music
www.listeningsessions.ca
October 29, 2025 at 2:19 PM
New from me - 10 new albums I think you will dig a lot. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/ten-new-al...
Heading off for another New York solo trip tomorrow morning - gearing up for it tonight with two of the great NYC albums.
October 25, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Heading off for another New York solo trip tomorrow morning - gearing up for it tonight with two of the great NYC albums.
New from me - this is the third time I have written about autumn music, focusing here on five albums that, for me, evoke this wonderful season. Enjoy! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/autumn-noc...
October 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
New from me - this is the third time I have written about autumn music, focusing here on five albums that, for me, evoke this wonderful season. Enjoy! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/autumn-noc...
Reposted by Robert C. Gilbert
New from me - on two landmark recordings of 1967, one that celebrates the legend and one the relays the facts. Both are utterly essential. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/sgt-pepper...
Sgt. Pepper's Notorious Byrd Brothers
On two albums that measure the highs and lows of 1967
www.listeningsessions.ca
October 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
New from me - on two landmark recordings of 1967, one that celebrates the legend and one the relays the facts. Both are utterly essential. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/sgt-pepper...
New from me - on two landmark recordings of 1967, one that celebrates the legend and one the relays the facts. Both are utterly essential. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/sgt-pepper...
Sgt. Pepper's Notorious Byrd Brothers
On two albums that measure the highs and lows of 1967
www.listeningsessions.ca
October 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
New from me - on two landmark recordings of 1967, one that celebrates the legend and one the relays the facts. Both are utterly essential. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/sgt-pepper...
Wrote about Mac Davis, one of a group of singer-songwriters who became very big very quickly in the late sixties, and his debut album, Song Painter - a unheralded classic. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/mac-davis-...
Mac Davis, the Song Painter
On the auspicious debut of the singer-songwriter
www.listeningsessions.ca
September 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Wrote about Mac Davis, one of a group of singer-songwriters who became very big very quickly in the late sixties, and his debut album, Song Painter - a unheralded classic. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/mac-davis-...
Toasting Coltrane on his almost-centennial by digging deep into the collection for a 1959 session with three-fourths of the Modern Jazz Quartet, and Hank Jones in place of John Lewis. Sublime stuff!
September 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Toasting Coltrane on his almost-centennial by digging deep into the collection for a 1959 session with three-fourths of the Modern Jazz Quartet, and Hank Jones in place of John Lewis. Sublime stuff!
Reposted by Robert C. Gilbert
New from me - reflections on two of Dizzy Gillespie’s finest albums from the fifties. One is fiery (‘Sonny Side Up’) and the other flirty (‘Have Trumpet, Will Excite!). Both are stone-cold classics! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/two-by-diz...
September 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
New from me - reflections on two of Dizzy Gillespie’s finest albums from the fifties. One is fiery (‘Sonny Side Up’) and the other flirty (‘Have Trumpet, Will Excite!). Both are stone-cold classics! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/two-by-diz...
New from me - reflections on two of Dizzy Gillespie’s finest albums from the fifties. One is fiery (‘Sonny Side Up’) and the other flirty (‘Have Trumpet, Will Excite!). Both are stone-cold classics! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/two-by-diz...
September 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
New from me - reflections on two of Dizzy Gillespie’s finest albums from the fifties. One is fiery (‘Sonny Side Up’) and the other flirty (‘Have Trumpet, Will Excite!). Both are stone-cold classics! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/two-by-diz...
A Frank Sinatra recording that isn't talked about enough - a grandiose, semi-classical recital with some of Nelson Riddle's most rapturous writing for strings and two of Sinatra's most stunning moments on record - ‘Ol’ Man River’ and the epic ‘Soliloquy.'
September 19, 2025 at 12:49 AM
A Frank Sinatra recording that isn't talked about enough - a grandiose, semi-classical recital with some of Nelson Riddle's most rapturous writing for strings and two of Sinatra's most stunning moments on record - ‘Ol’ Man River’ and the epic ‘Soliloquy.'
New from me - my latest installment of my continuing series of new-music recommendations, full of jazz, pop and rock. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/eight-grea...
Eight Great New and Upcoming Music Picks Just For You
Continuing Listening Sessions' guide to what's new and good
www.listeningsessions.ca
September 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM
New from me - my latest installment of my continuing series of new-music recommendations, full of jazz, pop and rock. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/eight-grea...
A new album I'm really buzzed about - singer-songwriter Emily Hines’ debut, full of woozy, psychedelic folk. This won't be in my next round-up of new and upcoming music coming at the end of next week but will be writing about this at some point. emilyhines.bandcamp.com/album/these-...
These Days, by Emily Hines
7 track album
emilyhines.bandcamp.com
August 30, 2025 at 10:50 PM
A new album I'm really buzzed about - singer-songwriter Emily Hines’ debut, full of woozy, psychedelic folk. This won't be in my next round-up of new and upcoming music coming at the end of next week but will be writing about this at some point. emilyhines.bandcamp.com/album/these-...
Not sure what it means that the piece I am most proud of has attracted low engagement. I want to do more of these pieces with interviews and other contributors, and hope if you feel this is a worthy idea, you may consider supporting my newsletter. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/the-rarefi...
The Rarefied Air of Air
Of an unknown jazz-rock classic, and the power and glory of Googie Coppola
www.listeningsessions.ca
August 27, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Not sure what it means that the piece I am most proud of has attracted low engagement. I want to do more of these pieces with interviews and other contributors, and hope if you feel this is a worthy idea, you may consider supporting my newsletter. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/the-rarefi...
Love strong female singers? Let me introduce you to Googie Coppola of Air. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/the-rarefi...
The Rarefied Air of Air
Of an unknown jazz-rock classic, and the power and glory of Googie Coppola
www.listeningsessions.ca
August 27, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Love strong female singers? Let me introduce you to Googie Coppola of Air. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/the-rarefi...
New from me - excited to share about an amazing 1971 album featuring the powerful songs and voice of Googie Coppola. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/the-rarefi...
The Rarefied Air of Air
Of an unknown jazz-rock classic, and the power and glory of Googie Coppola
www.listeningsessions.ca
August 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
New from me - excited to share about an amazing 1971 album featuring the powerful songs and voice of Googie Coppola. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/the-rarefi...
New from me - a look at one of jazz’s great one-off, magic moments: when Phineas Newborn Jr., Paul Chambers and Roy Haynes convened at Rudy Van Gelder’s in Hackensack in November 1958 to record what would be called ‘We Three.’ A perfect record! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/phineas-ne...
Phineas Newborn, Jr., Paul Chambers & Roy Haynes' Magic Moment
Why 'We Three' is one of jazz's pristine one-off encounters
www.listeningsessions.ca
August 12, 2025 at 2:28 PM
New from me - a look at one of jazz’s great one-off, magic moments: when Phineas Newborn Jr., Paul Chambers and Roy Haynes convened at Rudy Van Gelder’s in Hackensack in November 1958 to record what would be called ‘We Three.’ A perfect record! www.listeningsessions.ca/p/phineas-ne...
If you love acid-folk or trippy, psychedelic music, you'll want to check-out Jessica Risker's new album, ‘Calendar Year.’ It's highly recommended. jessicarisker.bandcamp.com/album/calend...
Calendar Year, by Jessica Risker
10 track album
jessicarisker.bandcamp.com
August 6, 2025 at 11:11 PM
If you love acid-folk or trippy, psychedelic music, you'll want to check-out Jessica Risker's new album, ‘Calendar Year.’ It's highly recommended. jessicarisker.bandcamp.com/album/calend...
Reposted by Robert C. Gilbert
Is there gold in Elvis’s early-60s soundtracks? I think so and pull together an argument that doesn’t shy from how the movie music pulled Elvis away from the ideal of making him a singer for everyone but also doesn’t deny that some of this music is good. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/searching-...
Searching for Elvis Presley in the Movies
Finding in the gold in Elvis' early-sixties soundtrack recordings
www.listeningsessions.ca
August 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Is there gold in Elvis’s early-60s soundtracks? I think so and pull together an argument that doesn’t shy from how the movie music pulled Elvis away from the ideal of making him a singer for everyone but also doesn’t deny that some of this music is good. www.listeningsessions.ca/p/searching-...