Posts From Jeff Burger

Jeff Burger

Jeff Burger, whose website is byjeffburger.com, has covered popular music as a writer and editor throughout his journalism career. His reviews, essays, and reportage on that and many other subjects have appeared in more than 75 magazines, newspapers, and books. He regularly reviews new releases and deluxe reissues for Best Classic Bands. Burger wrote one of the first interview-based profiles of Bruce Springsteen to be published in a national magazine. He has interviewed many other music-world luminaries as well, including Steve Van Zandt, Roger McGuinn, John Sebastian, Wolfman Jack, Tom Waits, Foreigner’s Mick Jones, Billy Joel, Steve Forbert, Tommy James, the Righteous Brothers, Gordon Lightfoot, Deep Purple’s Tommy Bolin, and members of Steely Dan and the Marshall Tucker Band. He has also interviewed many other public figures, such as Suze Orman, Daymond John, James Carville, Donald Trump, Sir Richard Branson, F. Lee Bailey, and Cliff Robertson. His books include Dylan on Dylan: Interviews and Encounters, Lennon on Lennon: Conversations with John Lennon, Leonard Cohen on Leonard Cohen: Interviews and Encounters, and Springsteen on Springsteen: Interviews, Speeches, and Encounters, all of which are published in the U.S. and Canada by Chicago Review Press. The books have been republished in numerous other countries. Burger has been the editor of several periodicals, including Business Jet Traveler, from which he retired in 2024. During his 20 years at that publication, it received more than 120 major editorial awards, including multiple wins for the world’s Best Consumer Travel Magazine in the annual Folio:Eddie competition. Burger lives in Ridgewood, New Jersey. His wife, Madeleine Beresford, is a puppeteer and former preschool director and teacher. The couple have two grown children.

Both Sides of Joni Mitchell at the Isle of Wight 1970

At first she appears shaken and angry. She asks for some respect. She gets it. The audience begins listening attentively and calls her back for an encore.

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‘I Shall Be Released: Covers of Bob Dylan 1963-1970’: Review

What we largely have here are obscure recordings, some by well-known artists and some by performers who have attracted much less attention than the songs they’re covering.

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Eric Andersen Delivers a Live Version of His Classic ‘Blue River’: Review

It’s a must-hear set—even better than the original ‘Blue River,’ writes our reviewer.

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The Kinks Complete ‘The Journey’ With 3rd Volume: Review

Part 3 delivers remasters of a dozen numbers initially issued between 1977 and 1984, plus a previously unheard 16-song concert.

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Nick Drake: ‘Five Leaves Left’ Expanded—Review

He remained little known for years. One reason might be that he was simply ahead of his time.

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Talking Heads: ‘More Songs About Buildings…’ Expanded—Review

David Byrne arguably comes across a bit less like a “Psycho Killer,” but his vocals still incorporate his trademark yelps and odd phrasing.

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Bruce Springsteen’s Remarkably Varied ‘Tracks II: The Lost Albums’—Review

The lion’s share of this material is just as compelling as much of what he has included on his many hit albums.

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Frank Zappa: Previously Unseen ‘Cheaper Than Cheep’ Reviewed

He and his band, the Mothers of Invention, were riding high in June 1974. After completing a 10th-anniversary tour, they filmed a two-hour concert for an invited audience in their Hollywood, Calif., rehearsal hall.

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Christopher Cross: An Expanded Edition of His Blockbuster Debut—Review

The album earned Cross Grammys for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist and Song of the Year.

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Review: ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ LP Delivered Classic Dylan

It seemed reasonable to suspect that we’d seen the last of his greatest albums. Well, here was a superb collection to prove you wrong

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