Since most of the country is suffering though Winter weather and needs a diversion, it seemed like the right time to revisit indie music of the country persuasion. It's always a real kick to see what's available from some of the independent regional outfits that are operating in various parts of the good ole US … Continue reading REVIEW: Swamp Gold Country (Vol 1)
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.
Alabama’s Randy Owen Is Only Human
Holy Cow. Randy Owen, the lead singer of country group Alabama, has turned into a geezer! I happened to be scanning with the TV remote last night - a common occurrence, I'm forced to admit - and spotted him singing solo in what appeared to be a recent appearance. He'll turn 58 this year and … Continue reading Alabama’s Randy Owen Is Only Human
REVIEW: Van Gelder Series: Pat Martino -El Hombre
Guitar great Pat Martino is the subject of my third review (1, 2) from a series of albums released by Prestige (Concord) and based on the work of legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder. All the albums in the series were originally mastered by Van Gelder and he has now handled the modern remastering as … Continue reading REVIEW: Van Gelder Series: Pat Martino -El Hombre
Beatles Weren’t First British Musical Invasion
When I was a teenager, learning about big band music by listening to it with my friend Louie on his homebrew "hi-fi" (this was pre-stereo), I soon found myself becoming more and more familiar with the star bandleaders and their styles. I got pretty good at telling the difference between the music of Benny and … Continue reading Beatles Weren’t First British Musical Invasion
REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Plus 4
This is my second review of an album from a series issued by Prestige Records that features remastered music from legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder. (For the backstory, refer to the earlier Jackie McLean review.) On this album, Sonny Rollins - Plus 4, we're turning back the clock over 50 years to take a … Continue reading REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Plus 4
The Romantic Side Of The Great One – Jackie Gleason
When I was a kid, perched on the floor in front of our old black and white TV, one of shows we regularly watched starred a rotund gentleman with a cocky manner and a loud, abrasive voice. At the beginning of every show, he'd roll his eyes and say, "and awa-a-aay we go!". That was … Continue reading The Romantic Side Of The Great One – Jackie Gleason
REVIEW: Grassroots Country – Hand Picked (Vol 1)
Of all the reasons I enjoy music, there's one that I sometimes forget -- music can be fun, and that's the reaction I had the first time I listened to Hand Picked (Vol 1), from the folks at Twang Brand Music. If you're a little new to the world of grassroots country music, you won't … Continue reading REVIEW: Grassroots Country – Hand Picked (Vol 1)
Gentleman Jim Reeves – The Country Music Crooner
Somehow I find myself again writing an article about a crooner, my fourth over the last few months. (1, 2, 3) Country music singer Jim Reeves is my subject in this session, and calling him a crooner might be a bit of a stretch from the term's normal definition, but it's a pretty accurate description … Continue reading Gentleman Jim Reeves – The Country Music Crooner
REVIEW: Jackie McLean – 4, 5, And 6
Rudy Van Gelder was a renowned sound engineer who for a while in the 1950's and 1960's seemed to be a part of almost every jazz recording of any importance. Working for Blue Note, Prestige and others during that era, he produced recordings that were as perfect, crisp and sharp as could be made, given … Continue reading REVIEW: Jackie McLean – 4, 5, And 6
The Quintessential Italian Crooner
I've written about crooners before, but I wanted to expand on something. Is it just me, or do most of the crooners who have entertained us through the years just happen to be of Italian descent? I'm not basing this conclusion on any type of scientific evidence, but it's just one of those things that … Continue reading The Quintessential Italian Crooner
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