I guess it's just how things work sometimes, but it's not unusual for talented musicians to sometimes be more remembered for their association with a big name than for their own abilities. A case could be made that Ray McKinley's history with Glenn Miller fits that profile. The two were good friends whose paths often … Continue reading In The Footsteps Of Glenn Miller
Category: Jazz
REVIEW: Steve Haines Quintet – Stickadiboom
Retro rules the roost in a new release from bassist Steve Haines and his group, who seem to have found a direct route to the kind of music that would have been right at home in the hard-bop era. Stickadiboom, now out on the Zoho label, is strongly evocative of the days when creative jazz … Continue reading REVIEW: Steve Haines Quintet – Stickadiboom
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
REVIEW: The Rippingtons – Modern Art
When a musical group with two decades of success releases album number eighteen, you have to figure that the guys making up the group are pretty much on top of their game. That would be an accurate description of the Rippingtons, and the group's new album, Modern Art, is now out on the Peak Records … Continue reading REVIEW: The Rippingtons – Modern Art
The Sound Of Waters
If you've enjoyed listening to any of the numerous lady singers who have performed "Am I Blue" through the years, then you might be interested to find out that it all started with a very special songbird. She introduced it in 1929 in a film called On With The Show, which was not only one … Continue reading The Sound Of Waters
From Poolrooms To Bandstands – Remembering Fats
Recently I happened to catch one of my favorite old movies on TV -- The Hustler, starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason -- and it made me reminisce a little about the first time I saw it and how it affected me. The simple fact is that even though Gleason's Minnesota Fats ended up being … Continue reading From Poolrooms To Bandstands – Remembering Fats
REVIEW: Linda Presgrave – Inspiration
When St. Louis native Linda Presgrave moved to New York about a decade ago, she'd already built a nice career as a respected jazz artist. But it might have been the catalyst that helped the talented pianist and composer begin to find wider success, because she soon signed a recording contract and began a string … Continue reading REVIEW: Linda Presgrave – Inspiration
Another Appearance From Mr. O
I'd like to welcome back Mr. Obvious, who is making yet another guest appearance on the GMC. Regular readers might remember that Mr. O sometimes shows up here just for the purpose of helping me make a point, or in some cases beat it to death. Anyhow, this time around I was going through some … Continue reading Another Appearance From Mr. O
REVIEW: Carol Fredette – Everything In Time
Carol Fredette is a perfect example of an undiscovered treasure. Or at least undiscovered by a wide audience, because she's been a fixture on the New York club scene for many years and has built a following of loyal fans, some of whom are her fellow artists. She's been called 'a musician's singer,' and jazz … Continue reading REVIEW: Carol Fredette – Everything In Time
In Search Of The Real ‘Hot Lips’
Just a quick question. If I asked you who comes to mind when you hear the nickname 'Hot Lips', wouldn't you think of Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan, the character in M*A*S*H? To be honest I'd probably think of her too, but there was a real 'Hot Lips' who not only wasn't a sexy, kooky blond, … Continue reading In Search Of The Real ‘Hot Lips’
Geezer Music Club 