In the early days of rock and roll a lot of different musical sounds were being heard, and they all helped form the mix that would eventually become a pop music revolution. Rockabilly, folk music, and a few other tasty treats were all part of the recipe, but one of the most important ingredients was … Continue reading Ivory Joe Joins The Revolution
Category: Retirement
The Perfect Song For The Holiday Weekend
When I think about Memorial Day weekend, all the usual things related to the holiday come to mind -- but I also think about eight-track cassettes. Hmmm. I guess that takes some explanation. First let me say that I went through the entire eight-track era and never had a car with a built-in player. Although … Continue reading The Perfect Song For The Holiday Weekend
REVIEW: Dan Tyminski – Wheels
Although he's a favorite of many country music fans - especially those who love bluegrass - Dan Tyminski is probably better known to the general public as the Grammy-winning singing voice behind a famous face, that of movie star George Clooney. Because of that, Tyminski's second album as a soloist, Wheels, due out in June … Continue reading REVIEW: Dan Tyminski – Wheels
Lee Konitz – Playing Fast, Sweet And High
During my college years I was still very new to listening to modern jazz, and like a lot of others at that time, thought that it began and ended with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. I was especially dazzled by the melodic, lyrical play of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, and even though I eventually came to … Continue reading Lee Konitz – Playing Fast, Sweet And High
REVIEW: Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet – For The Children
A new release on the Cadence Jazz label proves that you can sometimes stumble onto a hidden treasure, even one that's been out of sight for over a decade. For The Children, featuring the Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet, was actually recorded in 1995 but has just now been issued as part of Cadence's Historical Jazz … Continue reading REVIEW: Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet – For The Children
Billy Vaughn – Thriving In The Rock And Roll Era
During the rise of rock and roll in the 1950's, several other kinds of music still had a pretty good hold on much of the listening public, and one of the most popular was what's now described as 'easy listening' music. It's chief practitioners were orchestra leaders such as Percy Faith, Ray Coniff, and Nelson … Continue reading Billy Vaughn – Thriving In The Rock And Roll Era
REVIEW: Gust Spenos Quartet – Swing Theory
It's pretty obvious that saxophonist Gust Spenos developed the idea for his group's debut album, Swing Theory, with his tongue firmly lodged in his cheek. He's proposing a quasi-scientific explanation of swing music, and as part of the fun has likened it to the string theory in physics. He's even linked the two theories on … Continue reading REVIEW: Gust Spenos Quartet – Swing Theory
Kay Starr’s Answer To Rock And Roll
Kay Starr (Katherine Laverne Starks) July 21, 1922 - November 3, 2016 As a teenager in the 1950's, I'm pretty sure that I didn't catch on to the fact that a revolution was occurring in popular music. (Come to think of it, I missed a lot of things in those days -- but that's another … Continue reading Kay Starr’s Answer To Rock And Roll
REVIEW: Scott Hamilton & Friends – Across The Tracks
he appearance of a new album from Scott Hamilton is not exactly big news to jazz fans. After all, the veteran tenor saxman has a long history of recording success, including appearances on over sixty albums for Concord Jazz alone. But his newest, Across The Tracks, does have some notable differences. For one thing, he's … Continue reading REVIEW: Scott Hamilton & Friends – Across The Tracks
The Grass Is Not Always Greener
It has always tickled me to observe how my mind reacts when I hear a piece of music, because it seldom takes a predictable route. At first I might be just enjoying the music while thinking about the performer or possibly the song itself, but then inevitably my thoughts drift into distant territory Here's an … Continue reading The Grass Is Not Always Greener
Geezer Music Club 