In a recent piece about the Buckinghams I wrote about the British musical invasion of the Sixties and how it caused many American bands to change, but some groups didn't just emulate the haircuts and quaint English-style suits. They also made a conscious effort to sound like some of the biggest British bands. The Knickerbockers … Continue reading Jersey’s Answer To The Beatles
Category: Boomers
Carl Smith – Anything But Ordinary
Even though his career stretches back for over half a century, Carl Smith is probably not one of the most remembered singing stars from country music's honky-tonk era -- but his ordinary-sounding name might be part of the problem. After all, a moniker like Faron Young or Ferlin Husky tends to be a little more … Continue reading Carl Smith – Anything But Ordinary
REVIEW: Gerald Wilson Orchestra – Detroit
When considering Gerald Wilson's Detroit, the orchestral suite he composed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of that city's International Jazz Festival, it would be easy to get sidetracked by his unbelievably long career. After all, he's been a vital part of the jazz scene for seven decades. But the simple fact is that his composition, … Continue reading REVIEW: Gerald Wilson Orchestra – Detroit
Chicago’s Faux-British Buckinghams
The British musical invasion of the Sixties changed the face of pop music, but not just in terms of the music itself. The songs from bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were tremendously popular, but a lot of American bands also adopted the look, complete with shaggy haircuts and English-style clothes. I've written … Continue reading Chicago’s Faux-British Buckinghams
The Story Of Esquerita – aka Eskew Reeder
Let's say you were around in the early days of rock and roll, and one night you just happened to catch the act of a flamboyantly-pompadoured black performer, pounding on the piano and singing with utter abandon. Little Richard? Not necessarily. You might have been watching Steven Quincy Reeder, performing as his alter ego, Esquerita. … Continue reading The Story Of Esquerita – aka Eskew Reeder
Playing Make-Believe
We all like to play make-believe from time to time. It can be fun for everybody involved, and it can be done in a lot of different ways. Sometimes we can even find ourselves playing make-believe in a musical way, but I have to admit that I'm not completely on board with Guitar Hero. I … Continue reading Playing Make-Believe
Bringing Beethoven To Disco – Walter Murphy
One of my favorite musical sub-genres (or maybe sub-sub-genre) is when modern musicians take classical music and put an updated spin on it. What might at first glance seem disrespectful can produce some intriguing sounds. It's long been a common practice among jazz musicians, and even has a name -- "jazzin' the classics" -- but … Continue reading Bringing Beethoven To Disco – Walter Murphy
Jimmy Day And His Blue Darlin’
Steel guitars in all their many variations have long been a fascinating part of music. Named after the steel slide used to alter the pitch of the strings while playing -- not the material of the guitar itself -- the distinctive sound they create has become a familiar part of everything from country music to … Continue reading Jimmy Day And His Blue Darlin’
A Long Ride For Ray Anthony
I've written a lot of pieces about musical stars who have enjoyed long performing careers, many stretching on for several decades. But it would be tough to top a guy who began his professional career by playing in Glenn Miller's band in 1940 -- and is still active today. Bandleader/trumpeter Ray Anthony (Raymond Antonini) was … Continue reading A Long Ride For Ray Anthony
REVIEW: James Moody – Moody 4A
For someone who is at an age when most of us (including me) would be napping in the sun, James Moody is on quite a roll. After a warm reception for last year's Our Delight, an album that featured the legendary saxophonist's collaboration with the equally respected pianist Hank Jones and his quartet, Moody has … Continue reading REVIEW: James Moody – Moody 4A
Geezer Music Club 