Sign up to receive our email newsletter in your inbox. Leave this field empty if you're human: “Javelin,” Sufjan Stevens’ 10th solo album and second this year ...

Joni Mitchell was onto something. You don't miss liner notes until you don't have them. I admit: Many liner notes leave me cold, for two reasons. First, they're way too detailed, especially in jazz.

I wanted to hear “Song to Jutta,” so I bought a copy of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s first album. I was surprised to find that the liner notes were written by my friend Ann Moses. I called Ann. “Did ...