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
Category: Nostalgia
REVIEW: Garry Dial & Terre Roche – US An’Them
An unusual but intriguing new release on the Just Dial Roche label brings to life a feel-good project from the duo of jazz musician Garry Dial and folk singer Terre Roche. For years, they've been fascinated by the national anthems of many countries, and have spent long hours arranging, playing, and singing those tunes. That … Continue reading REVIEW: Garry Dial & Terre Roche – US An’Them
Short And Sweet — Just Like The Song
I'm a little under the weather today, so this will be a short one. I recently caught a rerun on TV of the Tom Hanks movie, That Thing You Do, and if you've ever seen it you know that it features a typical one-hit wonder pop group in the 1960's. One of the clever gimmicks … Continue reading Short And Sweet — Just Like The Song
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
Easy Does It – The Music Of Percy Faith
I seem to be on a kind of 'easy listening' tear lately, spinning out a article about Frank Chacksfield a while back and a few others before that, so it seems - er - easy enough to continue down that road for a while. And even though Chackfield's name might have been a little unfamiliar … Continue reading Easy Does It – The Music Of Percy Faith
REVIEW: James Moody & Hank Jones Quartet – Our Delight
After reviewing a number of new albums that feature unusual instruments and/or odd combinations thereof, I think I was more than ready for something ordinary. But let me quickly state that I mean ordinary only in the sense of conventional instrumentation. Our Delight, a new release from the James Moody/Hank jones Quartet on the IPO … Continue reading REVIEW: James Moody & Hank Jones Quartet – Our Delight
Keanu’s Movie Needs To Get The Music Right
I recently spotted a piece about an upcoming new movie - a remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still, starring Keanu Reeves - and naturally enough it got me to thinking about the original. (The movie, not Keanu.) Even though I like many of the newer films and do appreciate their astonishing special effects, … Continue reading Keanu’s Movie Needs To Get The Music Right
REVIEW: Mort Weiss – All Too Soon
It seems as though I'm on a roll when it comes to reviewing new albums by unusual instrumental duos. Recently I spotlighted a twosome who combined a trumpet with an African kora, and a while before that I reviewed an album by a couple of guys playing tuba and harmonica. This time around the instruments … Continue reading REVIEW: Mort Weiss – All Too Soon
Musical Familiarity Breeds Contentment – Not Contempt
It has always seemed a little odd to me how some musicians can sort of slip in the back door of your musical psyche. You might be pretty sure that you've never gone out of your way to listen to anything by them or read anything about them, and yet they've somehow become familiar. You … Continue reading Musical Familiarity Breeds Contentment – Not Contempt
The Story Behind A ‘Super-One-Hit Wonder’
I've always been a little reluctant to use the term 'one-hit wonder' but I've learned that there is often a compelling story behind an artist who carries that sobriquet. I've also learned that the term is applied to a lot of performers with records that do well on the charts, but very few actually reach … Continue reading The Story Behind A ‘Super-One-Hit Wonder’
Geezer Music Club 