REVIEW: Various Artists – Boots, Buckles & Spurs

Just in time for holiday giving - even if only to yourself - is a new 3-CD collection that just might make you feel like strapping on your shootin' iron and saddling up your ol' cayuse -- if you have one, that is. These days most of us get our transport from the horses under … Continue reading REVIEW: Various Artists – Boots, Buckles & Spurs

Andre Kostelanetz And The Evolution Of A Genre

André Kostelanetz is given credit by some for inventing Easy Listening music, but I think the whole concept of a genre being 'invented' is a little iffy -- at least as a conscious act. It seems to me that it's more of an evolution, a natural process of musicians stretching themselves to find a wider … Continue reading Andre Kostelanetz And The Evolution Of A Genre

REVIEW: Marco Granados – Music Of Venezuela

Brazilian jazz is probably the first type of music that comes to mind when you think of Latin jazz but there are many others, and one of the best is Venezuelan. Doing his part to help expose jazz lovers to the music of his homeland, flute virtuoso Marco Granados is offering up his latest album … Continue reading REVIEW: Marco Granados – Music Of Venezuela

Jim Lowe Found Success Behind That Famous Door

If you were around in 1956, and old enough to pay attention to the music being broadcast on the radio or coming out of jukeboxes, then you will probably remember a song that soared to the top of the charts that year. I'll give you a hint -- it had something to do with a … Continue reading Jim Lowe Found Success Behind That Famous Door

REVIEW: Christian Scott – Live At Newport

As a long-time jazz fan, it gets my attention whenever I see Live At Newport in the title of an album, because it evokes memories of Ellington, Brubeck, and other legendary jazz performers who have appeared at the festival through the years. Of course, it also creates expectations -- and that can sometimes be the … Continue reading REVIEW: Christian Scott – Live At Newport

The Nature Of Musical Nostalgia

Lately I've been thinking about the nature of musical nostalgia, and it's pretty obvious that even though a whole generation can share fond memories of certain types of music, each of us has specific songs and/or musicians that hit the target. It stands to reason that the same was true for earlier generations, but some … Continue reading The Nature Of Musical Nostalgia

REVIEW: Garry Dial & Terre Roche – US An’Them

An unusual but intriguing new release on the Just Dial Roche label brings to life a feel-good project from the duo of jazz musician Garry Dial and folk singer Terre Roche. For years, they've been fascinated by the national anthems of many countries, and have spent long hours arranging, playing, and singing those tunes. That … Continue reading REVIEW: Garry Dial & Terre Roche – US An’Them

Short And Sweet — Just Like The Song

I'm a little under the weather today, so this will be a short one. I recently caught a rerun on TV of the Tom Hanks movie, That Thing You Do, and if you've ever seen it you know that it features a typical one-hit wonder pop group in the 1960's. One of the clever gimmicks … Continue reading Short And Sweet — Just Like The Song

REVIEW: Sean Noonan’s Brewed By Noon – Boxing Dreams

Boxing Dreams, a new release on the Songlines label from Sean Noonan and his Brewed By Noon group, adds a few more tales to last year's Stories To Tell, which introduced his vision of "wandering folk music" to many new fans. Once again the unique drummer/composer is providing listeners a chance to experience a fascinating … Continue reading REVIEW: Sean Noonan’s Brewed By Noon – Boxing Dreams

Musical Classics Come In All Flavors

Once in a while, I hear a piece of music that immediately reminds me of my dad. In some ways that's a little surprising because it's been well over two decades since he passed on, but he did have very memorable musical tastes. He liked a lot of different kinds, including marches, polkas, and the … Continue reading Musical Classics Come In All Flavors