While I was growing up, one of the most familiar singing voices around our house was that of Teresa Brewer (my subject in an earlier piece). She was apparently a favorite of at least one of my parents -- probably my mother, because dad was more likely to go for polkas and harmonica music. In … Continue reading A Twist Of Fate – Teresa And Joan
Month: July 2008
REVIEW: Beach Boys – U.S. Singles Collection – The Capitol Years (1962-1965)
Everything you ever wanted to hear from the early days of the Beach Boys -- doubled or even tripled. A new sixteen-disc set is obviously aimed at aficionados of the guys and their music, and is being offered by Capitol/EMI as both a boxed set and as digital downloads. The set, titled The Beach Boys: … Continue reading REVIEW: Beach Boys – U.S. Singles Collection – The Capitol Years (1962-1965)
Stormy Weather – Part Deux
Just my luck. In a recent piece I related a couple of stories about 'stormy' experiences I've had, including the time that I lost something I was writing when the power failed, but it turns out that ol' Mama Nature wasn't quite finished with me. She slapped me again this week when stormy weather caused … Continue reading Stormy Weather – Part Deux
REVIEW: Gerald Albright – Sax For Stax
Have you ever wondered whether an interesting nickname helps kick up a musician's career? Or to ask the question in a different way, does a guy with extraordinary talent but an ordinary-sounding name sometimes find himself flying a little below the radar? Case in point (always wanted to say that) is saxophonist Gerald Albright, who … Continue reading REVIEW: Gerald Albright – Sax For Stax
OUCH!
Just a note for my regular readers -- and anyone else who might stumble upon the GMC. Because of severe and ongoing weather-related power outages I will not be able to do my normal posts for at least a couple of days. But check a little later -- we'll be back!
REVIEW: Sergio Mendes – Encanto
You gotta hand it to Sergio Mendes. The ageless Latin musical star has flourished for more than four decades, and even though he has plenty of ability himself, he's been helped along the way by his unerring ability to choose some interesting musical partners. For his latest album, Encanto, now out on the Concord label, … Continue reading REVIEW: Sergio Mendes – Encanto
Amping It Up With Johnny & The Hurricanes
Although they weren't the only ones with the idea, for a few years in the late Fifties and early Sixties Johnny and The Hurricanes enjoyed a lot of success with an unusual recipe for music. They'd take old, traditional songs and amp them up with a modern sound that was very appealing to the era's … Continue reading Amping It Up With Johnny & The Hurricanes
REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Freedom Suite
Once again we're paying a visit to Concord's tribute to long-time producer Orrin Keepnews, the Keepnews Collection, a series of 24-bit reissues of a number of timeless jazz recordings. (Previously: Wes Montgomery, Coleman Hawkins, Nat Adderley.) In this review, we're covering Freedom Suite, Sonny Rollins' 1958 classic. Unlike most of the legends in the series, … Continue reading REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Freedom Suite
Bulldog Songs – They Grab On And Won’t Let Go
I've always wondered what it is about certain songs that seem to just grab you and hang on, becoming a favorite from the very first time you hear them. In a way, that type of song reminds me of a stubborn and unpredictable bulldog that clamps his teeth into your pants leg and won't be … Continue reading Bulldog Songs – They Grab On And Won’t Let Go
REVIEW: Wes Montgomery – The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery
Even casual jazz fans are familiar with the name Wes Montgomery, and those who have closely followed the legendary guitarist's career know that 1960's The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery was probably one of his most important albums. It's that landmark effort that's the subject of our third review from Concord's Keepnews Collection, a … Continue reading REVIEW: Wes Montgomery – The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery
Geezer Music Club 