It's been twenty years since director Spike Lee's Malcolm X appeared in theaters and went on to win a number of awards for both Lee and the star of the film, Denzel Washington. One scene that I still remember well was when Malcolm (Washington) decided to undergo a lye hair-straightening treatment at the hands of … Continue reading Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson Named For His Misadventure
Category: Blues
Ducking Mardi Gras
Well, I guess this year's Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans is pretty much in the rear view mirror now. And that means that once again I've managed to avoid going anywhere near the place while the festival was in full swing. I've written more than once about my fondness for the people, the music, … Continue reading Ducking Mardi Gras
The Wide Reach Of Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes
Two decades after his death, jazz organist Richard 'Groove' Holmes is still fondly remembered by many fans. His was a career marked by a high level of comfort in every type of jazz from bluesy and funky to sweet and soft. That diversity and reach even extended to his two main centers of activity, allowing … Continue reading The Wide Reach Of Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes
Johnny Cash’s Surprising OOPS
Although he died in 2003, Johnny Cash is still a favorite for those of us who have always enjoyed his music while also finding his erratic path through life a little fascinating. But even though Cash was known to have gone through a few rough patches along the way, his fans might be surprised to … Continue reading Johnny Cash’s Surprising OOPS
Grant Green’s Legacy Has Endured
For someone who's been called one of the least-appreciated jazz guitarists of the modern era, Grant Green left behind an amazing amount of material. But he did seem to fly below the radar for much of his career, which was often stalled by drug-related causes. In the years since he died in 1979 (at just … Continue reading Grant Green’s Legacy Has Endured
Life Is Like A Box Of Chiclets
Tabloid City, a new book by legendary New York writer Pete Hamill, has triggered my latest foray into the dim recesses of childhood memory. During a passage in which he's describing the sound made by an oldster who is softly snoring, he compares it to what you hear when you blow into an empty Chiclets … Continue reading Life Is Like A Box Of Chiclets
Ray Charles Crumbled The Cookies
As someone who has had more than a passing acquaintance with cookies -- the edible kind -- I have to admit that a trio with that name probably caught my attention back in the day. And even though it was for different reasons, the R&B girl group was apparently also noticed by the legendary Ray … Continue reading Ray Charles Crumbled The Cookies
Joe Jones VS The Dixie Cups
New Orleans has always been known as the home of fascinating musical stories, like the tale of R&B singer Joe Jones and his disagreements with the singing group he managed for a while, the Dixie Cups. A court would eventually have to decide who held the rights to one of the group's big hits, a … Continue reading Joe Jones VS The Dixie Cups
Impossible To Ignore
I know I've brought up baseball a time or two here, and I've also mentioned that I've been a St. Louis Cardinal fan for many years, going back to my early childhood memories of sitting on the porch with my Dad, listening to them on the radio. But since I'm always sensitive to the fact … Continue reading Impossible To Ignore
Bessie Smith – The Empress Of The Blues
I doubt that anyone reading this actually remembers hearing Bessie Smith in her prime. After all, the lady known as the 'Empress of the Blues' died way back in 1937. But she is a much-revered member of the Grammy Hall Of Fame (established to honor artists from the early days) and is now recognized as … Continue reading Bessie Smith – The Empress Of The Blues
Geezer Music Club 