When I write about the music of the past I try to balance my efforts among several different genres, including jazz, oldies, country music, and a few others. But it occurred to me that even within a particular genre I can be neglectful. Case in point -- all my country music features lately seem to … Continue reading Country Songbird Connie Smith
Author: BG
BG (aka The Big Geez) is a retiree who who has spent over a decade generating the Geezer Music Club, where he tries to prove that geezers can stay in touch with today's world. . .and still find time for the trimming of ear hair.
Pete Sims aka Pete La Roca
One of the more interesting little stories in jazz is that of Pete Sims, who was born in New York in 1938. A drummer who began finding some success in the Fifties while playing percussion in Latin bands, he adopted the name Pete La Roca to better fit in. He continued to do well after … Continue reading Pete Sims aka Pete La Roca
Jersey’s Answer To The Beatles
In a recent piece about the Buckinghams I wrote about the British musical invasion of the Sixties and how it caused many American bands to change, but some groups didn't just emulate the haircuts and quaint English-style suits. They also made a conscious effort to sound like some of the biggest British bands. The Knickerbockers … Continue reading Jersey’s Answer To The Beatles
Carl Smith – Anything But Ordinary
Even though his career stretches back for over half a century, Carl Smith is probably not one of the most remembered singing stars from country music's honky-tonk era -- but his ordinary-sounding name might be part of the problem. After all, a moniker like Faron Young or Ferlin Husky tends to be a little more … Continue reading Carl Smith – Anything But Ordinary
Summer’s Almost Over – The Worm Is Turning
I guess the title of this piece is a little misleading because it's actually about how Summer is drawing to a close and the leaves are turning -- not the worms. But I had a favorite worm picture from many years ago that I wanted to use, and even though no leaves are visible in … Continue reading Summer’s Almost Over – The Worm Is Turning
REVIEW: Gerald Wilson Orchestra – Detroit
When considering Gerald Wilson's Detroit, the orchestral suite he composed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of that city's International Jazz Festival, it would be easy to get sidetracked by his unbelievably long career. After all, he's been a vital part of the jazz scene for seven decades. But the simple fact is that his composition, … Continue reading REVIEW: Gerald Wilson Orchestra – Detroit
Chicago’s Faux-British Buckinghams
The British musical invasion of the Sixties changed the face of pop music, but not just in terms of the music itself. The songs from bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were tremendously popular, but a lot of American bands also adopted the look, complete with shaggy haircuts and English-style clothes. I've written … Continue reading Chicago’s Faux-British Buckinghams
The Story Of Esquerita – aka Eskew Reeder
Let's say you were around in the early days of rock and roll, and one night you just happened to catch the act of a flamboyantly-pompadoured black performer, pounding on the piano and singing with utter abandon. Little Richard? Not necessarily. You might have been watching Steven Quincy Reeder, performing as his alter ego, Esquerita. … Continue reading The Story Of Esquerita – aka Eskew Reeder
Playing Make-Believe
We all like to play make-believe from time to time. It can be fun for everybody involved, and it can be done in a lot of different ways. Sometimes we can even find ourselves playing make-believe in a musical way, but I have to admit that I'm not completely on board with Guitar Hero. I … Continue reading Playing Make-Believe
Bringing Beethoven To Disco – Walter Murphy
One of my favorite musical sub-genres (or maybe sub-sub-genre) is when modern musicians take classical music and put an updated spin on it. What might at first glance seem disrespectful can produce some intriguing sounds. It's long been a common practice among jazz musicians, and even has a name -- "jazzin' the classics" -- but … Continue reading Bringing Beethoven To Disco – Walter Murphy
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