I thought maybe I'd revisit the subject of easy listening music, the sweet and melodious kind that was the specialty of a few band directors I've written about before, like Mantovani, Kostelanetz, and Percy Faith. But I don't think any of those particular guys had a background like George Melachrino, who in addition to his … Continue reading The Musical MP – George Melachrino
Category: Classical
Musical Imports — The Swingle Singers
In the midst of all the musical chaos of the 1960s, an era when several different genres were fighting for dominance in the pop music world, there was always room for something a little different. That would certainly describe the Grammy-winning Swingle Singers, a French (and later English) import led by an American. Ward Swingle … Continue reading Musical Imports — The Swingle Singers
Andre Kostelanetz And The Evolution Of A Genre
André Kostelanetz is given credit by some for inventing Easy Listening music, but I think the whole concept of a genre being 'invented' is a little iffy -- at least as a conscious act. It seems to me that it's more of an evolution, a natural process of musicians stretching themselves to find a wider … Continue reading Andre Kostelanetz And The Evolution Of A Genre
The Nature Of Musical Nostalgia
Lately I've been thinking about the nature of musical nostalgia, and it's pretty obvious that even though a whole generation can share fond memories of certain types of music, each of us has specific songs and/or musicians that hit the target. It stands to reason that the same was true for earlier generations, but some … Continue reading The Nature Of Musical Nostalgia
Musical Classics Come In All Flavors
Once in a while, I hear a piece of music that immediately reminds me of my dad. In some ways that's a little surprising because it's been well over two decades since he passed on, but he did have very memorable musical tastes. He liked a lot of different kinds, including marches, polkas, and the … Continue reading Musical Classics Come In All Flavors
A Salute To Leroy Anderson
It doesn't take a visit from Mr. Obvious to acknowledge that music has the power to trigger memories, and sometimes they're very specific memories, relating directly to a certain time or person. A good example is what happens when I hear "Blue Tango," one of prolific composer Leroy Anderson's most popular melodies. It reminds me … Continue reading A Salute To Leroy Anderson
The Grinch Makes A Rare Summer Appearance
I'm not sure if there's such a thing as an Independence Day Grinch, but I'm very close to being one. The 4th of July is a holiday that in its simplest form is meant to celebrate the historical aspects of independence, but like most holidays it has evolved into something else. For some, it's all … Continue reading The Grinch Makes A Rare Summer Appearance
Bunnies, Colored Eggs And…Beans?
As holidays go, Easter is pretty much like most of them, in the sense that it had its beginnings in religion but has gradually become a lot of different things for a lot of different people. And no matter what their beliefs, I think most folks would agree that the holiday has always been closely … Continue reading Bunnies, Colored Eggs And…Beans?
Geezer Music Club 