When I was a teenager, learning about big band music by listening to it with my friend Louie on his homebrew "hi-fi" (this was pre-stereo), I soon found myself becoming more and more familiar with the star bandleaders and their styles. I got pretty good at telling the difference between the music of Benny and … Continue reading Beatles Weren’t First British Musical Invasion
Category: Boomers
REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Plus 4
This is my second review of an album from a series issued by Prestige Records that features remastered music from legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder. (For the backstory, refer to the earlier Jackie McLean review.) On this album, Sonny Rollins - Plus 4, we're turning back the clock over 50 years to take a … Continue reading REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Plus 4
The Romantic Side Of The Great One – Jackie Gleason
When I was a kid, perched on the floor in front of our old black and white TV, one of shows we regularly watched starred a rotund gentleman with a cocky manner and a loud, abrasive voice. At the beginning of every show, he'd roll his eyes and say, "and awa-a-aay we go!". That was … Continue reading The Romantic Side Of The Great One – Jackie Gleason
REVIEW: Grassroots Country – Hand Picked (Vol 1)
Of all the reasons I enjoy music, there's one that I sometimes forget -- music can be fun, and that's the reaction I had the first time I listened to Hand Picked (Vol 1), from the folks at Twang Brand Music. If you're a little new to the world of grassroots country music, you won't … Continue reading REVIEW: Grassroots Country – Hand Picked (Vol 1)
Gentleman Jim Reeves – The Country Music Crooner
Somehow I find myself again writing an article about a crooner, my fourth over the last few months. (1, 2, 3) Country music singer Jim Reeves is my subject in this session, and calling him a crooner might be a bit of a stretch from the term's normal definition, but it's a pretty accurate description … Continue reading Gentleman Jim Reeves – The Country Music Crooner
REVIEW: Jackie McLean – 4, 5, And 6
Rudy Van Gelder was a renowned sound engineer who for a while in the 1950's and 1960's seemed to be a part of almost every jazz recording of any importance. Working for Blue Note, Prestige and others during that era, he produced recordings that were as perfect, crisp and sharp as could be made, given … Continue reading REVIEW: Jackie McLean – 4, 5, And 6
The Quintessential Italian Crooner
I've written about crooners before, but I wanted to expand on something. Is it just me, or do most of the crooners who have entertained us through the years just happen to be of Italian descent? I'm not basing this conclusion on any type of scientific evidence, but it's just one of those things that … Continue reading The Quintessential Italian Crooner
When Lawrence Welk Became Cool
If you've been brave enough (or open-minded enough) to pursue reading this article in spite of your conventional mental image of Lawrence Welk, then I congratulate you. I certainly have little room to criticize those who haven't looked at it, because my memories of him are probably similar to theirs -- that is, I considered … Continue reading When Lawrence Welk Became Cool
Jerry Reed And His Friend Mr. Smirky
It seems to me that there have always been actors I like to call "Mr. Smirky". You know the kind of guy I'm talking about -- they appear in a lot of movies and are very popular with their fans, but always seem to play a variation of the same character. He's smooth, cracks wise, … Continue reading Jerry Reed And His Friend Mr. Smirky
REVIEW: Nanny Assis – Double Rainbow
I have to say that I'm a little surprised to find myself reviewing an album by a Nanny, but I guess I should hasten to add that in this case it's a name, not a profession. Nanny Assis, a respected Brazilian jazz percussionist and veteran of many concert and recording sessions, has now joined the … Continue reading REVIEW: Nanny Assis – Double Rainbow
Geezer Music Club 