I've never been able to come up with a catchy name for a type of song I've written about before. It's not a genre in the usual sense of the word, although in the broadest definition - as a category of music - I guess you could call it a genre. But this particular genre … Continue reading Beyond Doo-Wop – The Original Platters
Category: Boomers
Buffalo Springfield – Two Short But Amazing Years
It always seemed to me that one-hit wonders have gotten a bum rap, with the assumption being made that the musicians were a flash in the pan and their hit song was almost a fluke. However, there's plenty of evidence to the contrary, and with my strong record as a contrarian I'm always ready to … Continue reading Buffalo Springfield – Two Short But Amazing Years
Dinah Washington – Queen Of The Blues
The more time I spend looking into the history of music and musicians, the more I realize the magnitude of my ignorance. I've always enjoyed music, but for most of my life it was pretty much just an aural experience for me, and I seldom delved too deeply into the backgrounds of the musicians themselves. … Continue reading Dinah Washington – Queen Of The Blues
Songs That Tickle (Part II) – Rock & Roll Oldies
In my first installment on this subject, I tried to make the case that country music is tops when it comes to songs with strange titles. I still believe that to be true, but every genre has its share of goofiness although it might be of a different type. When I reflect on rock and … Continue reading Songs That Tickle (Part II) – Rock & Roll Oldies
REVIEW: Norman Brown – Stay With Me
Say what you will about smooth jazz, but when you're in a receptive mood and it's being performed by talented musicians, it can be a very nice listening experience. Contemporary jazz guitarist Norman Brown provides that feeling with ease in his new album, Stay With Me, just out on the Peak Records (Concord) label, but … Continue reading REVIEW: Norman Brown – Stay With Me
Song Titles That Might Tickle Your Fancy
I guess I've always been a fan of country music, stretching back to the days of listening to it on my grandparents' old Philco, enjoying all the "Hanks" (Williams, Snow, Locklin, Thompson, etc) and their counterparts. But there were long periods in my life where I really didn't think that I was much into it. … Continue reading Song Titles That Might Tickle Your Fancy
REVIEW: Poncho Sanchez – Raise Your Hand
Poncho Sanchez is no stranger to Latin jazz fans. He's been voted number one percussionist in both DownBeat and Jazz Times reader’s polls for the past three years, and has been a driving force in the genre for over two decades. But on his new album for Concord Picante, Raise Your Hand, Sanchez - who … Continue reading REVIEW: Poncho Sanchez – Raise Your Hand
Ridin’ The Rails (Part II) – New Orleans
A while back I wrote about my train buff beginnings, describing how my Dad worked mail on the train and how I then traveled by rail as a young boy alone. So I thought it might be enjoyable to reflect on the other bookend in the set -- my most memorable experience riding the rails … Continue reading Ridin’ The Rails (Part II) – New Orleans
Bad Boys Of Early Rock – Gene Vincent
Teenagers in mainstream America who followed pop music in the 1950's had a lot of choices, but most could be classified in one of two groups -- the good guys or the bad boys. The former were those singers who were perceived as clean-cut, well-dressed, respectable, and - well - safe. The poster boy was … Continue reading Bad Boys Of Early Rock – Gene Vincent
Outdoor Concerts – From Early Americana To Streisand
For years, Central Park in New York has drawn a lot of attention by hosting huge concerts starring Barbra Streisand and others. But for over a century New Yorkers have enjoyed all kinds of music in the park, and other large cities have similar traditions, with many different varieties available for citizens. Folks in small-town … Continue reading Outdoor Concerts – From Early Americana To Streisand
Geezer Music Club 