I don't envy a serious young musician who is trying to put together his debut album. I'd think it would be a scary prospect, but if he has a musical vision and some talented pros to help him realize it, then he can give himself his very best chance to generate something memorable. Tenor saxophonist … Continue reading REVIEW: Robert MacGregor – Refraction of Light
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.
Origins Of Rock And Roll – Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith
It's unusual for a musician to embrace his hit song to the extent that he even makes it part of his name. After all, it might serve to pave the way for becoming known as a "one-hit wonder", normally something to be avoided. But when Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith realized he had a winner on … Continue reading Origins Of Rock And Roll – Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith
Before Weird Al, Newhart And Sherman Tickled America’s Funny-Bone
Comedy albums have gone through some ups and downs through the years but have been around for a long time, and generally fall into one of two types. They're either straight comedy, such as a recording of a comedian's act, or novelty music -- sometimes satirical but often just plain silly. (A subject I've touched … Continue reading Before Weird Al, Newhart And Sherman Tickled America’s Funny-Bone
REVIEW: George Gee/Jump Jivin’ Wailers – If Dreams Come True
Last year I reviewed an album by one of the modern swing bands, that of Bob Mintzer, and it helped me to understand that the newer guys can swing just as well as many of those from the early era. (In fact I chose that album as my album of the year.) That newly-gained insight … Continue reading REVIEW: George Gee/Jump Jivin’ Wailers – If Dreams Come True
Woody Guthrie – The Okie Troubadour Who Became Dylan’s Muse
A while back I caught the John Ford movie, The Grapes Of Wrath, on TV. For those who might not know, it's based on the Steinbeck novel about the trials and tribulations of dust bowl farmers during the Depression. Although the film's message has been debated for years, and even taking into account the upbeat … Continue reading Woody Guthrie – The Okie Troubadour Who Became Dylan’s Muse
REVIEW: Boots Randolph – A Whole New Ballgame
I know what you're thinking, because I had the same thoughts when I received this new album for review. Boots Randolph, the guy whose honkin' sax ruled Nashville for years, is still around? The guy who struck gold with "Yakety Sax" is still tooting his horn? Well, yeah -- and the truth is, he sounds … Continue reading REVIEW: Boots Randolph – A Whole New Ballgame
Benny Carter – Eight Decades Of Excellence
When Benny Carter died in 2003, he was just a month short of his 96th birthday -- and only a few years removed from performing. From his beginnings in the late 1920's, he was a force in jazz for eight decades. But it would be wrong to attribute his legacy to his longevity, as special … Continue reading Benny Carter – Eight Decades Of Excellence
REVIEW: Chick Corea/Béla Fleck – The Enchantment
Start with a pair of virtuoso musicians, two guys who have twenty Grammys between them but have worked together only sporadically. Add in the freedom to explore and create, and then turn them loose. That's the recipe for this exciting new Concord album, The Enchantment, featuring legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea and Béla Fleck, the … Continue reading REVIEW: Chick Corea/Béla Fleck – The Enchantment
Beyond Doo-Wop – The Original Platters
I've never been able to come up with a catchy name for a type of song I've written about before. It's not a genre in the usual sense of the word, although in the broadest definition - as a category of music - I guess you could call it a genre. But this particular genre … Continue reading Beyond Doo-Wop – The Original Platters
Buffalo Springfield – Two Short But Amazing Years
It always seemed to me that one-hit wonders have gotten a bum rap, with the assumption being made that the musicians were a flash in the pan and their hit song was almost a fluke. However, there's plenty of evidence to the contrary, and with my strong record as a contrarian I'm always ready to … Continue reading Buffalo Springfield – Two Short But Amazing Years
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