The music of ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro might seem to be an unusual starting point for a piece about memories of Christmas. But when that tune is something called "Grandma's Groove," it inevitably makes me remember my own grandmothers -- and how they each found their holiday groove in different ways. My maternal grandmother was … Continue reading How Grandma Found Her Christmas Groove
Category: Nostalgia
What’s In A Name? Don & Juan
I've always had a healthy sense of curiosity about how musical acts choose their stage names. Some have obvious connections with their history or background, others have well-known stories behind them, but a lot of them might take some guess work. Don and Juan, a R&B duo who rose to popularity almost fifty years ago, … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Don & Juan
The Grinch Takes On Holiday Music
At the risk of sounding like the Grinch - and not for the first time, I might add - I have to admit that I've often had mixed feelings about holiday music. I didn't always have a problem with it. While I was growing up, the sound of Christmas music coming from the radio or … Continue reading The Grinch Takes On Holiday Music
REVIEW: Hot Club de Norvège – Django Music
The prospect of hearing the music of legendary Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt always captures my attention -- and my attention is sometimes a difficult critter to snare. But Hot Club de Norvège did just that with the title of their newest album on the Hot Club Records label, Django Music. Of course, to complete the … Continue reading REVIEW: Hot Club de Norvège – Django Music
The Danleers: One-Hit-Plus Wonders
Most of us are familiar with the term 'One-Hit Wonder', especially if we're among those who love to listen to Oldies. In an earlier post, I suggested that artists whose one hit reaches the top of the charts should be called Super-One-Hit Wonders, but what would you call someone who had one big hit and … Continue reading The Danleers: One-Hit-Plus Wonders
REVIEW: Roger Kellaway – Live At The Jazz Standard
Virtuoso is a word that's often used to describe a skilled musician, and I'm probably as guilty as anyone of using it a little too casually. However, this is not one of those times. Veteran jazz pianist Roger Kellaway is a virtuoso by anyone's standards, and his newest release, Roger Kellaway - Live At The … Continue reading REVIEW: Roger Kellaway – Live At The Jazz Standard
Remembering Ritchie Valens
It's always been a little interesting to me how a long-gone musician's legacy can develop with the passage of time. Ritchie Valens is mostly remembered now as one of the doomed passengers on Buddy Holly's ill-fated plane trip, and also for his hit song, "La Bamba." But his biggest hit by far was the slow … Continue reading Remembering Ritchie Valens
REVIEW: Various Artists – Boots, Buckles & Spurs
Just in time for holiday giving - even if only to yourself - is a new 3-CD collection that just might make you feel like strapping on your shootin' iron and saddling up your ol' cayuse -- if you have one, that is. These days most of us get our transport from the horses under … Continue reading REVIEW: Various Artists – Boots, Buckles & Spurs
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
Jim Lowe Found Success Behind That Famous Door
If you were around in 1956, and old enough to pay attention to the music being broadcast on the radio or coming out of jukeboxes, then you will probably remember a song that soared to the top of the charts that year. I'll give you a hint -- it had something to do with a … Continue reading Jim Lowe Found Success Behind That Famous Door
Geezer Music Club 