Although she died in 1984 and is probably not a familiar name to current music fans, cabaret singer Mabel Mercer is still fondly remembered by many. She rose from humble beginnings to become a respected and much-admired performer during a colorful career that stretched out for many years. Along the way she influenced countless stars, … Continue reading Mabel Mercer Inspired Sinatra And Others
Category: Boomers
The Nostalgia Well Might Be Drying Up
Regular visitors to the GMC know that we're mostly about nostalgia and music, with an occasional shot of current events. But one of the situations that arise from something like this being around for so long (six years and a thousand+ posts) is that you start feeling like you're beginning to scrape the bottom of … Continue reading The Nostalgia Well Might Be Drying Up
Eddie Lang – The Father of Jazz Guitar
Throughout musical history, most professional artists have had numerous opportunities to work with some of the best of their contemporaries, sometimes building up an impressive list of collaborators during a long career. But in at least one case, a pioneering jazz guitarist with a tragically shortened career still left behind a legacy that included working … Continue reading Eddie Lang – The Father of Jazz Guitar
Diamonds Might Have Been An Exception To The Rule
It's common knowledge that the early days of rock and roll included many instances of white performers redoing songs originated by black artists, in the belief that it made them more accessible to mainstream music fans. The most often mentioned example is Pat Boone vs Little Richard, and Boone's watered-down renditions did sell a lot … Continue reading Diamonds Might Have Been An Exception To The Rule
Keeping My Fingers And Toes Crossed
I did something similar to this last Winter. The difference then was that we had some ice and snow around but I was just thankful that conditions were nowhere near that shown in the pictures. This time around, I'm happy to report that here in the Central Midwest we're having the mildest Winter I can … Continue reading Keeping My Fingers And Toes Crossed
Music Of The Three Suns Triggers Memories
Musical recollections from my early childhood mostly revolve around the scratchy 78s that were often played at our house, but my memory is notoriously porous so I can't always remember specific records. Or to be more accurate, I can't remember them until I stumble across a song and am instantly transported back, which is what … Continue reading Music Of The Three Suns Triggers Memories
Doris Day Introduced Ruth Etting To New Generation
When I was a kid I'd sometimes get a little puzzled while watching a movie that was supposed to be about someone famous, because often I'd never heard of them. Of course, I was spectacularly clueless in those days (still am, for that matter) but the reason for the confusion was usually just a generational … Continue reading Doris Day Introduced Ruth Etting To New Generation
The Perseverance Of Freddie Hart
Although there have always been performers who defied the odds and became overnight successes, most have had to spend years working their way up the ladder of fame. Still, not many have had the perseverance of Freddie Hart, who didn't really hit it big until he was in his mid-forties and "Easy Loving" topped the … Continue reading The Perseverance Of Freddie Hart
The Silly Saga Of Alley Oop
Even if you think about the sheer number of silly songs that have shown up in pop music through the years, you still have to classify 1960's "Alley Oop" as one of the most unusual. The idea came from producer/musicians Gary Paxton and Kim Foley, a couple of experienced pros who'd formed a studio band … Continue reading The Silly Saga Of Alley Oop
Succumbing To The Lure Of Apps
Regular readers will recall that I've been a Kindler since late 2010 and also just received a Kindle Fire tablet as a Christmas gift. Mrs. BigGeez has a Kindle of her own too, so we're a three-Kindle household. In light of all that it would be a natural subject to write about, but I've resisted … Continue reading Succumbing To The Lure Of Apps
Geezer Music Club 