Screenshot of the trailer for Glyndebourne’s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Falstaff by There Stands the Glass.
The Top Ten Albums of July 2025
1. Clipse- Let God Sort Em Out
Culturally inappropriate.
2. Tyler, The Creator- Don’t Tap the Glass
Provocative.
3. Dom Salvador, Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad- JID024
Miraculous samba.
4. Charlie Hunter and Ella Feingold- Different Strokes for Different Folks
My kind of party.
5. Dino Saluzzi- El Viejo Caminante
Heartbreaking bandoneon.
6. Teddy Abrams- Preludes
A new form of pianism.
7. Myke Towers- Island Boyz
Endless summer.
8. Burna Boy- No Sign of Weakness
Muscular pop.
9. Theon Cross- Affirmations (Live at Blue Note New York)
Hilariously loud.
10. Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist- Alfredo 2
Old school.
The Top Three Reissues and Reimaginings of July 2025
1. Nick Drake- The Making of Five Leaves Left
Deep in the weeds.
2. Cecil Taylor and Tony Oxley- Flashing Spirits
Live in 1988.
3. Paul Weller- Find El Dorado
Covers of premium obscurities.
The Top Ten Songs of July 2025
1. MC Yallah- “Tunyedde”
Straight outta Kampala.
2. John Glacier- “Fly With Me”
Moonshot.
3. Cécile McLorin Salvant- "Oh Snap"
Kitchen sink.
4. Syd- “Die for This”
Alive.
5. Olivia Dean- “Lady Lady”
Groovy groovy.
6. Jorja Smith- "With You"
Bliss.
7. Che- “Ba$$”
Molly anthem.
8. DJ Snake featuring J Balvin- “Noventa”
Siren song.
9. Pino Palladino and Blake Mills featuring Chris Dave- "Taka"
A-team.
10. Trio of Bloom- "Queen King"
Nels Cline, Craig Taborn and Marcus Gilmore.
The Top Ten Performances of July 2025
1. Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (Okemah)
My notes.
2. Steve Cardenas, Forest Stewart and Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House
My Instagram clip.
3. Elvis Costello & The Imposters at the Uptown Theater
My Instagram clip.
4. Crystal Gayle at Ameristar Casino
My review.
5. Nick Hmeljak, Henry Scamurra, Isaiah Petrie, Jordan Faught and Jaylen Ward at Westport Coffee House
My review.
6. Made in France at the Market at Meadowbrook
My Instagram snapshot.
7. Summerfest at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
My notes.
8. Stan Kessler, Aaron Sizemore, Craig Akin and Taylor Babb at the Music House
My Instagram snapshot.
9. Michael August and Nell Levin at the Woody Guthrie Center (Tulsa)
Instagram snapshot.
10. Matt Hopper, Gerald Spaits and Todd Strait at Green Lady Lounge
My Instagram snapshot.
The previous monthly recap is here.
