When reviewing a new album, I usually give some background about the musical history of the artist, but I seldom dig too deeply into other aspects of their life. However, Trombone Heaven - Vancouver 1978, a new release from Uptown Records that showcases a live performance by trombone masters Frank Rosolino and Carl Fontana, has … Continue reading REVIEW: Frank Rosolino & Carl Fontana – Trombone Heaven: Vancouver 1978
Category: Nostalgia
Blue-Eyed Soul And Beyond – The Box Tops
Although it might be an oversimplification, the term 'blue-eyed soul' has generally been used as a way to describe white pop singers who perform R&B. You can find examples in almost every decade, even the 1940's, when Frankie Laine was often called the first of the blue-eyed soul singers, and it continued into the 1950's, … Continue reading Blue-Eyed Soul And Beyond – The Box Tops
REVIEW: Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys – Keeping The Tradition Alive!
I've reviewed a lot of Cajun/Zydeco albums in the past, and at some point I usually describe them just as I did in the early part of this sentence -- combining them as Cajun/Zydeco. But it's not just me. The people behind the Grammys recently announced a new category: Best Zydeco or Cajun Music. But … Continue reading REVIEW: Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys – Keeping The Tradition Alive!
Cuttin’ Wax In Post-War Motown
When I was a very small boy on a visit to post-war Detroit, I had an experience that might surprise you -- or at least it will until you hear the details. It happened one day when I found myself "cuttin' wax" - making a record - and this was years before Motown Records was … Continue reading Cuttin’ Wax In Post-War Motown
REVIEW: Chick Corea & Gary Burton – New Crystal Silence
I guess it's not unusual for two top-flight jazz musicians to form a bond that causes them to frequently come together through the years and work as a duet, but you won't find many pairs with the virtuosity - and the longevity - of Chick Corea and Gary Burton. For over thirty-five years, the innovative … Continue reading REVIEW: Chick Corea & Gary Burton – New Crystal Silence
The Many Sides Of Ferlin Husky
If you set out to build yourself a country music star, one of the most important steps might be choosing a suitable name. You might even pick something like Ferlin Husky, which sounds like the perfect moniker for a country music singer. But it turns out that the fledgling singer born with that name chose … Continue reading The Many Sides Of Ferlin Husky
WWII Servicemen Loved ‘GI Jo’ – Jo Stafford
I've written before about a subject that's always fascinated me, the history of songbirds -- the ladies who sang for the big bands, entertaining fans and at the same time adding a little class to the bandstand. Many of them - such as Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, and Doris Day - went on to solo … Continue reading WWII Servicemen Loved ‘GI Jo’ – Jo Stafford
Detour On The Road To Stardom – Jimmie Rodgers
A while back, I wrote an article that included some info about country music legend Jimmie Rodgers, but there was another Jimmie Rodgers who achieved some fame, but in pop music. In fact, he was a fast-rising, popular star for over a decade -- until a mysterious event in 1967 interrupted his career. The second … Continue reading Detour On The Road To Stardom – Jimmie Rodgers
Dizzy Memories Of Disneyland
My young grandsons are on their way from the frozen Midwest to Disney World in Orlando, a trip they make with their parents - my son and his wife - almost every year. It's an occurrence that inevitably takes me back several decades to memories of family trips to the original -- Disneyland in California. … Continue reading Dizzy Memories Of Disneyland
Adventures In Radio — 1960’s Style
As a veteran of early 1960's radio, I sometimes find myself amazed at the current state of radio operations. Of course, I haven't actually been inside a radio station for decades, but judging by what I glimpse in magazine articles or on TV, modern operations are fully computerized -- sometimes even automated -- and in … Continue reading Adventures In Radio — 1960’s Style
Geezer Music Club 