The trajectory of American music journalism and the inner workings of the recording industry have often been shaped by individuals whose initial passion for the arts was sparked by a singular, transformative moment. For Joe McEwen—a veteran music journalist, disc jockey, and record executive—that moment occurred in the mid-1960s in Philadelphia. His upcoming anthology, Tastykakes, Soul Songs and Shining Stars: Affections and Reflections, 1973-2025, scheduled for release by ZE Books on April 28, 2026, serves as a comprehensive archive of a career spent at the intersection of cultural criticism and industrial leadership. The book compiles decades of McEwen’s profiles, reviews, and personal reflections, offering a historical lens into the evolution of soul, rock, and the cultural fabric of Philadelphia and Boston.
The 1966 Epiphany and the Philadelphia Roots
Growing up in Philadelphia during the 1960s, McEwen’s early exposure to music was largely passive. His household reflected the mainstream sensibilities of the era, with his mother frequently tuning the car radio to the polished vocal stylings of traditional pop icons such as Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, and Tony Bennett. While these artists represented the commercial peak of the early 1960s, they failed to resonate with McEwen, who found himself largely indifferent to the music of his immediate environment.
This indifference ended abruptly in 1966. The catalyst was "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas. Produced by Motown’s Berry Gordy and featuring the urgent, gospel-inflected vocals of Martha Reeves, the track represented a seismic shift in American popular music. For McEwen, the experience was visceral; he described the record as painting a "magnetic aural landscape" that offered a sense of belonging and an immediate desire for more. This "epiphany" marked the beginning of an obsession that would eventually eclipse his childhood interest in basketball, though the two passions would later coexist in his professional writing.
The Rise of the Music Critic as a Cultural Arbiter
As McEwen’s interest in music deepened, he began to consume the burgeoning literature of rock and soul criticism. This was a period when music journalism was transitioning from mere promotional copy to a serious form of cultural analysis. He became a regular reader of seminal publications such as Crawdaddy, founded by Paul Williams in 1966; Jazz and Pop; Soul; and the then-nascent Rolling Stone, which had launched in San Francisco in 1967.
These publications provided McEwen with a framework for understanding music not just as entertainment, but as a reflection of social change, racial dynamics, and artistic innovation. Following his graduation from college, McEwen moved from consumer to contributor, establishing himself at the Boston Phoenix. The Phoenix, an alternative weekly, became a vital platform for his work. During the 1970s and 1980s, alternative weeklies were the primary source of discovery for underground and independent music, and McEwen’s profiles of musicians helped define the era’s critical discourse.
Chronology of a Multi-Faceted Career
The professional timeline of Joe McEwen reflects the broader shifts within the American media and music landscapes over the last half-century.
- 1966: The foundational "epiphany" through Motown music, shifting his focus from sports to the "sound" of the record.
- Late 1960s – Early 1970s: Formative years spent studying the "New Journalism" style of music reporting in national magazines.
- 1973: The commencement of McEwen’s professional writing career, marked by his early contributions to the Boston Phoenix.
- 1980s – 2000s: Transition into the corporate side of the music industry. As a record executive and A&R (Artists and Repertoire) specialist, McEwen played a role in scouting talent and managing the legacies of various artists, bridging the gap between the critical world and the commercial market.
- 2025: The conclusion of the period covered in his new anthology, reflecting over fifty years of continuous engagement with the arts.
- April 28, 2026: The scheduled publication of Tastykakes, Soul Songs and Shining Stars by ZE Books.
The Intersection of Regional Identity: Tastykakes and the 76ers
The title of McEwen’s anthology, Tastykakes, Soul Songs and Shining Stars, highlights the deep connection between his professional output and his Philadelphia heritage. Tastykake, a snack food brand founded in Philadelphia in 1914, serves as a cultural shorthand for the city’s blue-collar identity. By pairing this regional icon with "Soul Songs," McEwen emphasizes the "Sound of Philadelphia" (TSOP)—the lush, orchestrated soul music produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Sigma Sound Studios—which dominated the charts during his formative years.
Furthermore, the book includes reflections on basketball, demonstrating that McEwen’s early love for the sport never truly vanished. He provides remembrances of key figures from the Philadelphia 76ers, most notably Caldwell Jones and Moses Malone. Malone, a three-time NBA MVP who led the 76ers to a championship in 1983, and Jones, a defensive stalwart, represent a golden era of Philadelphia sports. McEwen’s ability to weave together the rhythmic intricacies of soul music with the physical grace of professional basketball offers a unique perspective on how regional culture informs individual identity.
Historical and Industry Context
McEwen’s career spans the most volatile periods in the history of the music industry. When he began writing in 1973, the industry was dominated by vinyl sales and FM radio. By the time his anthology concludes in 2025, the industry has undergone multiple revolutions, including the rise of the CD, the disruption of digital piracy, the emergence of streaming services, and the recent resurgence of vinyl.
As a record executive, McEwen’s work involved navigating these shifts while maintaining an ear for "the sound"—the same quality that captivated him in 1966. His dual perspective as both a critic (who analyzes the art) and an executive (who facilitates its production) provides the anthology with a rare depth. The "profiles" included in the book are expected to cover a wide range of artists, from the soul pioneers of the 60s to the emerging stars of the 21st century.
Analysis of Implications and Legacy
The publication of Tastykakes, Soul Songs and Shining Stars by ZE Books signifies a growing interest in preserving the history of American music through the eyes of those who witnessed its evolution firsthand. ZE Books has established a reputation for publishing works that blend memoir with cultural history, and McEwen’s anthology fits this mold.
The book’s release has implications for several fields:
- Musicology and Archiving: By collecting short reviews and profiles that might otherwise have remained buried in the archives of defunct newspapers like the Boston Phoenix, the book preserves a critical record of the late 20th-century music scene.
- Cultural Studies: The inclusion of basketball and regional food references (Tastykakes) provides a holistic view of urban life in the Northeast United States, showing how music does not exist in a vacuum but is part of a larger ecosystem of regional pride and daily life.
- Journalistic Pedagogy: For aspiring music journalists, McEwen’s work serves as a case study in how to transition from a passionate fan to a professional critic and eventually a major industry player.
Projected Reception and Industry Response
While official reviews will not appear until closer to the 2026 release date, early buzz within the industry suggests that McEwen’s anthology will be welcomed as a vital piece of "Philadelphia lore." Former colleagues from the Boston Phoenix and contemporaries in the A&R world have often cited McEwen’s "encyclopedic knowledge" and his "unwavering commitment to the soul of a record" as his defining traits.
The inclusion of the years 1973 to 2025 in the title suggests a narrative arc that follows the decline of traditional print media and the rise of a more fragmented, digital-first music culture. McEwen’s reflections are expected to offer a poignant look at what has been lost and what has been gained in this transition.
In an era where music discovery is often driven by algorithms, McEwen’s emphasis on the "urgency of the voice" and the "magnetic aural landscape" serves as a reminder of the human element in music criticism. His journey from a quiet Philadelphia home to the heights of the music industry illustrates the power of a single record to change the course of a life. Tastykakes, Soul Songs and Shining Stars promises to be more than just a collection of articles; it is a testament to a lifetime of listening.
Related posts:
