Comedy albums have gone through some ups and downs through the years but have been around for a long time, and generally fall into one of two types. They're either straight comedy, such as a recording of a comedian's act, or novelty music -- sometimes satirical but often just plain silly. (A subject I've touched … Continue reading Before Weird Al, Newhart And Sherman Tickled America’s Funny-Bone
Category: Nostalgia
REVIEW: George Gee/Jump Jivin’ Wailers – If Dreams Come True
Last year I reviewed an album by one of the modern swing bands, that of Bob Mintzer, and it helped me to understand that the newer guys can swing just as well as many of those from the early era. (In fact I chose that album as my album of the year.) That newly-gained insight … Continue reading REVIEW: George Gee/Jump Jivin’ Wailers – If Dreams Come True
Woody Guthrie – The Okie Troubadour Who Became Dylan’s Muse
A while back I caught the John Ford movie, The Grapes Of Wrath, on TV. For those who might not know, it's based on the Steinbeck novel about the trials and tribulations of dust bowl farmers during the Depression. Although the film's message has been debated for years, and even taking into account the upbeat … Continue reading Woody Guthrie – The Okie Troubadour Who Became Dylan’s Muse
REVIEW: Boots Randolph – A Whole New Ballgame
I know what you're thinking, because I had the same thoughts when I received this new album for review. Boots Randolph, the guy whose honkin' sax ruled Nashville for years, is still around? The guy who struck gold with "Yakety Sax" is still tooting his horn? Well, yeah -- and the truth is, he sounds … Continue reading REVIEW: Boots Randolph – A Whole New Ballgame
Benny Carter – Eight Decades Of Excellence
When Benny Carter died in 2003, he was just a month short of his 96th birthday -- and only a few years removed from performing. From his beginnings in the late 1920's, he was a force in jazz for eight decades. But it would be wrong to attribute his legacy to his longevity, as special … Continue reading Benny Carter – Eight Decades Of Excellence
REVIEW: Chick Corea/Béla Fleck – The Enchantment
Start with a pair of virtuoso musicians, two guys who have twenty Grammys between them but have worked together only sporadically. Add in the freedom to explore and create, and then turn them loose. That's the recipe for this exciting new Concord album, The Enchantment, featuring legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea and Béla Fleck, the … Continue reading REVIEW: Chick Corea/Béla Fleck – The Enchantment
Beyond Doo-Wop – The Original Platters
I've never been able to come up with a catchy name for a type of song I've written about before. It's not a genre in the usual sense of the word, although in the broadest definition - as a category of music - I guess you could call it a genre. But this particular genre … Continue reading Beyond Doo-Wop – The Original Platters
Buffalo Springfield – Two Short But Amazing Years
It always seemed to me that one-hit wonders have gotten a bum rap, with the assumption being made that the musicians were a flash in the pan and their hit song was almost a fluke. However, there's plenty of evidence to the contrary, and with my strong record as a contrarian I'm always ready to … Continue reading Buffalo Springfield – Two Short But Amazing Years
Dinah Washington – Queen Of The Blues
The more time I spend looking into the history of music and musicians, the more I realize the magnitude of my ignorance. I've always enjoyed music, but for most of my life it was pretty much just an aural experience for me, and I seldom delved too deeply into the backgrounds of the musicians themselves. … Continue reading Dinah Washington – Queen Of The Blues
Songs That Tickle (Part II) – Rock & Roll Oldies
In my first installment on this subject, I tried to make the case that country music is tops when it comes to songs with strange titles. I still believe that to be true, but every genre has its share of goofiness although it might be of a different type. When I reflect on rock and … Continue reading Songs That Tickle (Part II) – Rock & Roll Oldies
Geezer Music Club 