Concord Music Group has carved out a prominent role for itself in today's music world as one of the most diversified sources for recordings of all genres, with an especially strong presence in jazz. One of the many special collections they've made available is a series of releases based on historical performances at the Monterey … Continue reading REVIEW: The Best of Cal Tjader: Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival 1958-1980
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.
Whippoorwills And Whippersnappers
It's a well known fact that country music often leans a little heavily on certain themes, especially those dealing with the singer's unhappiness. And even though the reasons for the gloomy mood might vary all the way from poverty to prison to past loves, it's a good bet that loneliness will be near the top … Continue reading Whippoorwills And Whippersnappers
REVIEW: Gary Morgan & PanAmericana! – Felicidade
For the last decade or so, one of the best-kept secrets in Latin jazz is a transplanted Canadian who is now living in New York. But Gary Morgan and his 20 piece orchestra PanAmericana! (complete with exclamation point) just might break out of that anonymity with their latest album, Felicidade, now out on the Consolidated … Continue reading REVIEW: Gary Morgan & PanAmericana! – Felicidade
A Twist Of Fate – Teresa And Joan
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
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
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