As a long-time fan of big band music, I've found that even though I pretty much like it all, there are some specific types that have always held special appeal. One of my favorite is the music that results when a band plays modern arrangements of timeless classical pieces, a practice that was known in … Continue reading Jazzin’ The Classics With Larry Clinton
Category: Nostalgia
REVIEW: It All Started With Doo Wop
Doo Wop has to be one of the most fascinating music sub-genres ever. During its long and vibrant life it's been reinvented again and again, but has remained ever popular. That last fact helps explain the frequent PBS specials and other TV events, along with boxed sets such as the one we're reviewing here. Time-Life, … Continue reading REVIEW: It All Started With Doo Wop
March Madness — Rock & Roll Style
March madness is again upon us so we're being bombarded by images of basketball in all its various incarnations. It's difficult to avoid and I have to admit that I'm pretty much enjoying it, but strangely enough I sometimes find my thoughts turning to -- rock and roll? I was watching my young grandson playing … Continue reading March Madness — Rock & Roll Style
Revisiting Elvis In Hawaii
I've written before about my affinity for some of the early movies of Elvis Presley, and especially Blue Hawaii. Even though it can be viewed through the prism of hindsight as Hollywood phony and politically incorrect to the Nth degree, to a teenager in small-town Midwestern America at that time it was very appealing. I … Continue reading Revisiting Elvis In Hawaii
REVIEW: Joe Bonsall & The Orange Playboys – Cajun Jamboree
Every type of music has its legendary performers, but because not all genres are widely popular, many treasured artists are something less than household names. A new album from Swallow Records might help to remedy that, at least as it relates to Cajun music. Cajun Jamboree, a collection of tunes from Joe Bonsall and the … Continue reading REVIEW: Joe Bonsall & The Orange Playboys – Cajun Jamboree
REVIEW: Piers Lawrence Quartet – Stolen Moments
There's something very satisfying about sitting down and listening to four talented jazz pros combining to provide a smooth and cohesive sound. It's a task that is far more difficult than it sounds (making the music -- not listening to it) but the Piers Lawrence Quartet has nailed it on the group's new album, Stolen … Continue reading REVIEW: Piers Lawrence Quartet – Stolen Moments
Swimming To Catalina With The Four Preps
As a more or less typical Midwestern teenager in the 1950's, I was often fascinated by what I saw of sunny California in movies or even on TV (although it wasn't as colorful). It was a place that seemed almost magical, with a vibrant energy that was very appealing, and it was filled with exotically-named … Continue reading Swimming To Catalina With The Four Preps
Johnny Long Tried To Straddle The Line
When I first began to get interested in big band music in the 1950's, the era was actually starting to wind down, with droves of music fans moving to rock and roll and other modern sounds. But I've always been a little bit of a contrarian, and although I wasn't immune to the attractions of … Continue reading Johnny Long Tried To Straddle The Line
Lionel Hampton Got The Job – And Became A Legend
The first time I ever became aware of vibes legend Lionel Hampton was when he appeared as himself in The Benny Goodman Story. He was one of several real musicians appearing in the movie, although he had more screen time than most of the others. The movie portrayed him as the proprietor of a diner … Continue reading Lionel Hampton Got The Job – And Became A Legend
Friends And The Nature Of Friendship
A friend of mine is having a problem with his computer and his furnace at the same time, which is a tough double-header for anyone to handle. I've tried to offer some advice with the computer but don't know if I can do him any good. At least his plumbing is OK so he doesn't … Continue reading Friends And The Nature Of Friendship
Geezer Music Club 