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
Category: Blues
A Promising Start Leads To A Senseless End
The music business is filled with tragic stories, but that doesn't lessen the impact of individual tales of opportunities lost and potential unfilled. One of those is the story of Johnny Ace. Johnny Ace (John Marshall Alexander, Jr.) was a Memphis native and a regular on the local music scene from an early age. A … Continue reading A Promising Start Leads To A Senseless End
REVIEW: Walter “Wolfman” Washington – Doin’ The Funky Thing
Having spent some time in New Orleans over the years, I'm always happy to review a new album from one of the local legends, especially one who mixes blues, jazz and soul into his own special sound. Walter "Wolfman" Washington has kept a low profile in the last decade - partially due to Hurricane Katrina … Continue reading REVIEW: Walter “Wolfman” Washington – Doin’ The Funky Thing
REVIEW: Thom Rotella 4-Tet — Out Of The Blues
Thom Rotella might not be a familiar name to the average jazz fan, but if you have a ear for jazz guitar you've probably enjoyed his music at some time over the past two decades. If so - or even if the multi-talented artist is unfamiliar to you - a new album on the Four-Bar … Continue reading REVIEW: Thom Rotella 4-Tet — Out Of The Blues
Goin’ To Kansas City With Wilbert Harrison
I'll have to confess that I didn't know much about Wilbert Harrison when I first heard him singing "Kansas City," and in all honesty I don't think that I made much of an effort to find out at that time. In those days I was mostly just into enjoying the music, and his signature song … Continue reading Goin’ To Kansas City With Wilbert Harrison
REVIEW: Warren Storm, Willie Tee & Cypress
A few years ago, long-time Louisiana musical icons Warren Storm and Willie Tee decided to revive their legendary Cypress Band, a group that they had first formed in 1980. The duo found that modern audiences were enthusiastic in their support, and soon began building quite a following in area nightspots. Deciding that their mix of … Continue reading REVIEW: Warren Storm, Willie Tee & Cypress
Ivory Joe Joins The Revolution
In the early days of rock and roll a lot of different musical sounds were being heard, and they all helped form the mix that would eventually become a pop music revolution. Rockabilly, folk music, and a few other tasty treats were all part of the recipe, but one of the most important ingredients was … Continue reading Ivory Joe Joins The Revolution
Swayze’s Ghost Revived An Old Song
In 1990, an old song appeared in a couple of memorable movies, in the process introducing itself to a new generation. On the soundtrack of Goodfellas it was performed by Vito and The Salutations, but it made a much bigger impression in another film -- Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. That movie appearance … Continue reading Swayze’s Ghost Revived An Old Song
REVIEW: Norah Jones & Others – My Blueberry Nights (Soundtrack)
Chanteuse Norah Jones, having pretty much conquered the music world, is now taking on Hollywood by starring in My Blueberry Nights, which is currently in limited release. The producers are making the most of the opportunity -- although the film poster shows all three leading ladies (the others are Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman), the … Continue reading REVIEW: Norah Jones & Others – My Blueberry Nights (Soundtrack)
REVIEW: William Hart Strecker – Smoke And Clouds
Although not a huge name in today's music world, singer-guitarist William Hart Strecker has spent several decades establishing himself as a solid presence in a number of different genres, including blues, jazz, and even country-rock. Along the way he had to survive a horrible accident and find a way to recover physically and rebuild his … Continue reading REVIEW: William Hart Strecker – Smoke And Clouds