Does the world need another Ella Fitzgerald collection? Concord certainly hopes so, since they've combined with Starbucks (bet you didn't see that coming) to produce their latest tribute to a musical legend. Love Letters From Ella, which is tagged as celebrating what would have been her 90th birthday, includes ten tracks that are described as … Continue reading REVIEW: Ella Fitzgerald – Love Letters From Ella
Category: Big Band
Pete Fountain Was Always Welcome At Our House
Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr. (July 3, 1930 – August 6, 2016) I've written before about my attempts at playing the clarinet while I was growing up, and how I was never very good even though I took lessons for years and occupied a chair in various school bands. It might tell you something about my … Continue reading Pete Fountain Was Always Welcome At Our House
From Boogie-Woogie To Early Rock And Roll – Ella Mae Morse
Boogie-woogie is a type of music that's a little difficult to pin down and define with precision, mostly because it's like ice cream -- it comes in a lot of different flavors, and they're all downright tasty. But I will at least try to edge into something approaching a definition. I'm not a trained musician … Continue reading From Boogie-Woogie To Early Rock And Roll – Ella Mae Morse
REVIEW: Juan Pablo Torres – Romantic Cuba
Reminiscent of Pérez Prado and moonlit Havana nights, Cuban dance music is alive and well -- or at least it is on Romantic Cuba, a new compilation on the Malanga label. The album, which stars the late Cuban trombonist Juan Pablo Torres, is actually two complete albums in one. It combines 1975's Mangle and 1981's … Continue reading REVIEW: Juan Pablo Torres – Romantic Cuba
Musical Moods From The Godfather
It's pretty much a given that most men are fascinated by the Godfather movies. (Or at least the first two -- it's also a given that Godfather III didn't quite make the grade.) I guess it's like they say - it's a guy thing - but most of us have seen the films countless times … Continue reading Musical Moods From The Godfather
Clyde McCoy – Leaving The Legendary Feud Behind
I have written some articles with unusual juxtapositions, but I think this is one of the strangest. It's about an early jazz pioneer, a man who is especially remembered for one distinctive song, who also happened to be a member of a family involved in a legendary hillbilly blood-feud. I think most of us have … Continue reading Clyde McCoy – Leaving The Legendary Feud Behind
REVIEW: Robin McKelle – Introducing Robin McKelle
If ever a new album was apt to pique my curiosity, it would be something like Introducing Robin McKelle, just out this month on Cheap Lullaby Records. She's being promoted as a throwback singer similar to the songbirds of the big band era. Having written more than once about those very ladies, when I was … Continue reading REVIEW: Robin McKelle – Introducing Robin McKelle
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
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
Geezer Music Club 