I have a problem. Ken Burns' newest documentary, The War, which provides a comprehensive look at World War II and is now showing on PBS, has also generated a four CD boxed set of music. The problem is that it's so freakin' good that I'm afraid I'm in danger of overselling it, but at the … Continue reading REVIEW: The War – A Ken Burns Film (Soundtrack – Boxed Set)
Category: Nostalgia
Gogi Grant And Her Wayward Wind
I've written several times about so-called "one-hit wonders" and my disagreement with the label being applied too casually to performers. And although the description might technically be correct in some cases, it seems extra poignant when it's attached to a musician who had a world of talent but was just never able to repeat their … Continue reading Gogi Grant And Her Wayward Wind
Hank Williams And The Hunt For The Elusive Sassafras
It's always been fascinating to me how a piece of music can trigger memories, but I suppose it's really not that surprising. After all, one of the reasons music appeals to us as individuals is its ability to generate moods and feelings, so memories wouldn't be far behind. I was recently listening to an old … Continue reading Hank Williams And The Hunt For The Elusive Sassafras
DVD REVIEW: Glen Campbell – Good Times Again
Glen Travis Campbell, Apr 22, 1936 -- Aug 8, 2017 Although Glen Campbell has a well-known history as a big country music star, with mega-hits on songs such as "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," and "Wichita Lineman," a lot of today's music fans might not realize that he started in pop music. They … Continue reading DVD REVIEW: Glen Campbell – Good Times Again
REVIEW: Daniel Smith – The Swingin’ Bassoon
Admittedly, there's something about the bassoon - maybe the name - that seems to make people smirk a little. And an album titled The Swingin' Bassoon might elicit a chuckle -- after all, when I picked it up I thought it said Swingin' Baboon. But this new release from bassoonist Daniel Smith on the ZahZah … Continue reading REVIEW: Daniel Smith – The Swingin’ Bassoon
Jazz At The Junction With Erskine Hawkins
During my mid-teen years, when I was first forming my life-long appreciation for big band music (while still keeping an eye on the growth of rock and roll) one of my favorites was a tune that Glenn Miller and his orchestra had made into a big hit a number of years earlier. In fact, it … Continue reading Jazz At The Junction With Erskine Hawkins
REVIEW: Various Artists – Four Decades Of Folk Rock
Having reviewed several Time-Life boxed sets, I've learned that there are some basic truths about them. First, you can always count on these guys to have access to just about every recorded piece of music in existence. You also know that they'll work diligently to make intelligent selections from among those songs, trying their best … Continue reading REVIEW: Various Artists – Four Decades Of Folk Rock
Remembering Janis Martin – The Female Elvis
Last week, a lady passed away at age 67 in a hospital not too far from her lifelong home in Virginia. Her death, along with a little of her history, was reported in the national media but didn't make much of a ripple in the music world, and that's a cryin' shame. Her name was … Continue reading Remembering Janis Martin – The Female Elvis
REVIEW: Eddie Daniels – Homecoming — Live At The Iridium
Woodwind wizard Eddie Daniels is an artist who garners enormous respect from his contemporaries and from jazz aficionados, but is somewhat of a mystery to casual jazz fans. His newest release, Homecoming -- Eddie Daniels Live At The Iridium, a 2-CD set just out on the IPO label, offers listeners an opportunity to solve that … Continue reading REVIEW: Eddie Daniels – Homecoming — Live At The Iridium
Bobby Helms Was Something Special
While I was growing up, I often heard adults talking about some of the musicians who were popular at that time, and many of those artists are still pretty well known today. However, there were others who seemed to be huge stars in those days but are now largely forgotten, and sometimes I wonder why. … Continue reading Bobby Helms Was Something Special
Geezer Music Club 