Although he'll always be most remembered for "Duke Of Earl," Gene Chandler was much more than a one-hit wonder. Over a long and successful career he had countless records that hit the charts even if they might not have quite reached the heights of his number-one seller. Born Eugene Dixon in Chicago, his singing career … Continue reading Gene Chandler – Beyond The Duke
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.
Tony Burrows – The Human Hit Machine
One of the most unusual stories in pop music is that of British singer Tony Burrows, who could be described as a sort of human hit machine. Although his name is not widely recognized, in the late 1960's and early 1970's he had the knack - and the talent - to show up in an … Continue reading Tony Burrows – The Human Hit Machine
REVIEW: Eliane Elias – Bossa Nova Stories
Not gonna make you wait on this one. No beating around the bush, no hemming and hawing - well OK, a little - but the simple truth is that Brazilian jazz icon Eliane Elias' newest album, Bossa Nova Stories, is one of the best I've heard in a long time. It's a new issue on … Continue reading REVIEW: Eliane Elias – Bossa Nova Stories
Speaking Up In Defense Of Cooties
I'm willing to bet that almost everybody reading this has at some point in their childhood teasingly accused someone of giving them 'cooties' -- or has been on the other end, as the one being accused. It's an old insult that dates back for a number of generations, but most of the kids using the … Continue reading Speaking Up In Defense Of Cooties
The Brothers From Mississippi + One
The Chambers Brothers were one of the best of the family-based R&B groups of the Sixties and they were a little unusual too. At their peak, the group consisted of four black brothers from Mississippi -- and a white drummer. Along with contemporaries such as Sly and the Family Stone, the group helped integrate pop … Continue reading The Brothers From Mississippi + One
REVIEW: Jaimee Paul – At Last
Whether we realize it or not, we sometimes approach tribute albums a little sideways, sort of edging up to them while wondering if the artist will do justice to the original. I suppose it's a natural enough attitude to have, but it seems a little unfair if we judge them too quickly. Those thoughts were … Continue reading REVIEW: Jaimee Paul – At Last
Rebel Without A Clue
I've often written about how the familiar sounds of an old song can instantly transport me to a different time and place, and that was certainly the case with one I ran across recently. Johnny Bond's "Hot Rod Lincoln" took me back to a time when my friends and I had some hot rod adventures … Continue reading Rebel Without A Clue
REVIEW: Hendrik Meurkens – Samba To Go!
For the third year in a row, the otherwise frigid month of January is warmed up for Latin jazz lovers via a new Hendrik Meurkens album on the Zoho label. Samba To Go! follows the pattern set by 2008's Sambatropolis and 2007's New York Samba Jazz Quintet, once again showcasing Meurkens' talent on both harmonica … Continue reading REVIEW: Hendrik Meurkens – Samba To Go!
Blues Image – A Brief Picture
Occasionally I've written that I think the label 'one-hit wonder' is a little overused, and in addition is sometimes unfairly and inaccurately applied -- but not always. About forty years ago, a group called Blues Image was probably the perfect definition of 'one-hit wonder' with their million-seller, "Ride Captain Ride." It all began in 1966 … Continue reading Blues Image – A Brief Picture
Reality vs The Waltons
Recently I was scanning with the TV remote - a skill most men master at an early age, but one that has become more difficult with the proliferation of cable channels - and I happened to run across an episode of The Waltons, the TV show about a Depression-era family in rural Virginia. This particular … Continue reading Reality vs The Waltons
Geezer Music Club 