Here's a test for you. If someone says "clarinet player", what's the first name that comes to mind? I'd bet the farm - if I had a farm - that you'd answer with the name of the guy who was known as the King of Swing. But he was also someone I once considered to … Continue reading Was Benny Goodman A Doppelganger?
Month: September 2006
Not Just Another Guitar Player
As a geezer - a term I embrace although others use it dismissively - I try to write my opinions about the type of music that I think might interest my...er...co-geezers. But even if you don't consider yourself a geezer you might want to keep an open mind and read on, because you might find … Continue reading Not Just Another Guitar Player
REVIEW: Jerry Walks With His Wazmo
If you watch TV at all, then you've probably caught Conan O'Brien's late night show at least a few times, and if so then you've also seen and heard the house band, The Max Weinberg 7. I have to admit that the show itself has gradually lost its appeal for me and the main reason … Continue reading REVIEW: Jerry Walks With His Wazmo
Reckless Driving And The Sound Of Roger Miller
Here's how it happened. I was driving down the street one day in 1964 and listening to my car radio, which was tuned to a pop station. At that time, I was in a transitional stage, music-wise, and was beginning to appreciate a lot of the popular music of the sixties while still hanging on … Continue reading Reckless Driving And The Sound Of Roger Miller
REVIEW: True Talent On The Piano Shows Through
While growing up, my only real musical training was on the clarinet, but as an adult I decided that I wanted to learn to play the piano -- and it did not go well. I kept hammering at it and was finally able to get to the point where I could play some simple melodies, … Continue reading REVIEW: True Talent On The Piano Shows Through
Significant Beginnings Lead To CCR
Two significant births occurred about thirty-nine years ago, and in a curious way the two events ended up circling around and crossing paths twenty years later -- and affecting my musical tastes. 1967 was the year my son came into the world - which was obviously important to me - but it was also the … Continue reading Significant Beginnings Lead To CCR
REVIEW: Smooth Jazz Is Definitely a Genre
Have you ever taken a look at the music genres available in the tag editor of Windows Media Player? It lists over a hundred, starting with "a capella" and ending with "vocal", and it even includes "noise" -- and yet doesn't seem to recognize the genre that Boney James is best-known for. Go figure. James … Continue reading REVIEW: Smooth Jazz Is Definitely a Genre
Classic Country Music Ages Well
For the benefit of those who tend to dismiss geezer music as just "oldies" or maybe something by Glenn Miller (not that there's anything wrong with Glenn Miller!) I thought I'd veer into the land of Classic Country, which is a genre every bit as distinct as Classic Rock -- although country and rock do … Continue reading Classic Country Music Ages Well
Swing Music In The Movies — The MTV Of Its Day
I happened to spot an old black and white musical on one of the cable movie channels the other day, and it got me to thinking about how sometimes situations change but the basics don't. Modern movie-goers are accustomed to hearing music in their films, either in the background or featuring a currently hot musician … Continue reading Swing Music In The Movies — The MTV Of Its Day
REVIEW: Engelbert Humperdinck — What’s In a Name?
I think the first time I heard the name Engelbert Humperdinck was during my college years when I spent some time working at a tiny radio station that specialized in classical music. I didn't know much about that kind of music but I worked for the proverbial peanuts, so maybe that's why the station owner … Continue reading REVIEW: Engelbert Humperdinck — What’s In a Name?
Geezer Music Club 