The music business is filled with tragic stories, but that doesn't lessen the impact of individual tales of opportunities lost and potential unfilled. One of those is the story of Johnny Ace. Johnny Ace (John Marshall Alexander, Jr.) was a Memphis native and a regular on the local music scene from an early age. A … Continue reading A Promising Start Leads To A Senseless End
Category: Nostalgia
REVIEW: Coleman Hawkins – The Hawk Flies High
Presented for your perusal is the second in a series of reviews (previously: Nat Adderley) based on Concord's Keepnews Collection, a salute to legendary producer Orrin Keepnews. This edition finds us taking a look at a Coleman Hawkins classic, The Hawk Flies High, now reissued with 24-bit digital remastering. Coleman Hawkins was one of the … Continue reading REVIEW: Coleman Hawkins – The Hawk Flies High
Banned From Radio Play – Nervous Norvus
I've enjoyed silly songs for a long time (and have written about them before) but I'm not alone in my admiration. Fans of veteran radio personality Dr. Demento have long appreciated the unusual music he's brought their way, and he's given credit for helping make a star of Weird Al Yankovic and a few others. … Continue reading Banned From Radio Play – Nervous Norvus
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
REVIEW: Dennis Stroughmatt – Cadet Rouselle
It's a pretty safe bet that this is the only review you'll read today for an album of music inspired by early French Creole settlers in an area of Southern Illinois and Missouri once known as Upper Louisiana. Cadet Rouselle, newly issued on the Swallow Records label, is the latest musical expression from Dennis Stroughmatt, … Continue reading REVIEW: Dennis Stroughmatt – Cadet Rouselle
Perry Como And The Singing Sisters
We were watching an old movie musical on TV the other night - Skirts Ahoy with Esther Williams - and among the supporting cast I noticed a singing group with a familiar-sounding name, the DeMarco Sisters. Hmmm (I thought) weren't they the ones who had a big hit with "Teach Me Tonight," and often made … Continue reading Perry Como And The Singing Sisters
REVIEW: Walter “Wolfman” Washington – Doin’ The Funky Thing
Having spent some time in New Orleans over the years, I'm always happy to review a new album from one of the local legends, especially one who mixes blues, jazz and soul into his own special sound. Walter "Wolfman" Washington has kept a low profile in the last decade - partially due to Hurricane Katrina … Continue reading REVIEW: Walter “Wolfman” Washington – Doin’ The Funky Thing
Taxi Drivers Have Feelings Too
When Scorsese's Taxi Driver came out in 1976, it drew a lot of attention for its graphic violence and unforgettable portrayals, including Robert De Niro as disturbed cabbie Travis Bickle and Jodie Foster as an underage hooker. But when I first saw the film I had a couple of additional thoughts. For one thing, I … Continue reading Taxi Drivers Have Feelings Too
What’s In A Name? — Joni James
What's in a name? In the 1950's, singer Joni James had a lot of success with one of those names that always seemed easy to confuse with a few others (at least for me). On the other hand, her real name - Giovanna (Joan) Carmella Babbo - might have been a little more distinctive, but … Continue reading What’s In A Name? — Joni James
Summertime — And The Junebugs Are Buzzin’
The official start of Summer is very close now and a lot of blogs are focusing on the season. One that I read regularly has published a long list of Summer-related songs, including several different renditions of Gershwin's classic composition, "Summertime." (Although in my opinion they left off one of the best versions, that by … Continue reading Summertime — And The Junebugs Are Buzzin’
Geezer Music Club 