Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr. (July 3, 1930 – August 6, 2016) I've written before about my attempts at playing the clarinet while I was growing up, and how I was never very good even though I took lessons for years and occupied a chair in various school bands. It might tell you something about my … Continue reading Pete Fountain Was Always Welcome At Our House
Month: July 2007
REVIEW: Chet Atkins – The Essential Chet Atkins
Here's an interesting bit of information -- if you put "the essential" into Amazon music's search field, you'll get back over 4,000 hits. Even allowing for duplicates and different editions, it's obviously a popular term in the naming of music albums. But although the term might be overused, it's also meant as a signal that … Continue reading REVIEW: Chet Atkins – The Essential Chet Atkins
Did Boxcar Willie Really Ride The Rails?
It's pretty well accepted that geezers are fond of trains and I'm no exception. In fact, I've written several times about traveling by train and also about the connections that seem to have always existed between railroads and music, most recently focusing on the classic train named The City Of New Orleans. That relationship between … Continue reading Did Boxcar Willie Really Ride The Rails?
REVIEW: Carole King – Love Makes The World (Deluxe Edition)
Carole King's very own Rockingale Records has released a new enhanced 2-CD album, starring an artist whose name might be familiar -- Carole King. It's actually a re-issue of her 2001 album Love Makes The World, but with the addition of the extra disc containing bonus music tracks, plus several music videos and an interview … Continue reading REVIEW: Carole King – Love Makes The World (Deluxe Edition)
Gale Storm Was Not A TV Weathergirl
Here's a little test to see how well your memory is functioning (and also how much of a geezer you are). Do you remember the star of a hit TV show called My Little Margie? I'll give you a big hint -- she later had another popular show called Oh! Susannah, a sort of predecessor … Continue reading Gale Storm Was Not A TV Weathergirl
Swimmin’ In the Moonlight With Elvis And Tony
Summertime has always been filled with all kinds of outdoor activities, including everything from bungee jumping to extreme skateboarding, but one of the most popular activities is one that requires very little special equipment -- swimming. And when you combine swimming with the right conditions - specifically the addition of moonlight - it forms the … Continue reading Swimmin’ In the Moonlight With Elvis And Tony
Debbie Reynolds Was America’s Sweetheart – And She Could Sing Too
Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds (April 1, 1932 – December 28, 2016) A while back, I wrote a piece about Eddie Fisher's life and loves, which naturally included mention of his ex-wife, Debbie Reynolds, and the 1959 scandal involving Elizabeth Taylor. At that time Debbie was actually a veteran of over 10 years in the business, … Continue reading Debbie Reynolds Was America’s Sweetheart – And She Could Sing Too
From King Of Calypso To Renaissance Man – Harry Belafonte
One type of music that's always been enormously appealing to me - and to many others too - is Calypso, and there's not much doubt about the specific tune that first introduced me to the sound. I'm betting that it was your first exposure to Calypso too -- Harry Belafonte's "Banana Boat Song (Day-O)". Belafonte's … Continue reading From King Of Calypso To Renaissance Man – Harry Belafonte
Mantovani Brought The Classics To Everyone
Folks, it's time for a dose of good medicine, music that might not normally be your first choice but will make you feel better afterwards, I promise. For quite a while now, I've led you along an easy, comfortable path by writing about jazz, country music, oldies and the like -- but it's time to … Continue reading Mantovani Brought The Classics To Everyone
REVIEW: Chasing The Sun – The Greatest Songs Of Summer
There has been a lot of attention paid lately to the Summer Of Love and its 40th anniversary, accompanied by a number of special albums and DVDs featuring the music of that era. That might have been part of the motivation for this boxed set, Chasing The Sun - The Greatest Songs Of Summer, from … Continue reading REVIEW: Chasing The Sun – The Greatest Songs Of Summer
Geezer Music Club 