I always thought Bent Fabric -- the pianist and composer who had a big hit with "Alley Cat" in 1962 -- had picked a strange stage name, one that sounded like a folded piece of cloth. But it turns out that it's almost his real name. The Danish-born musician, who is now in his nineties … Continue reading Yes, Bent Fabric Is For Real
I'm kind of a wimpy whistler. By that I mean I'm not one of those guys (or gals!) who can insert two fingers into their mouth and let out a loud piercing squeal that freezes traffic. On the other hand, I'd like to think I can sometimes whistle a particular tune in a way that … Continue reading The Wonderful World Of Whistling
One of the natural manifestations of living a long life is seeing some of our favorite indulgences gradually disappear. Sometimes it's because they become obsolete and are replaced by something better. Other times it's just because they are no longer appreciated by enough people to matter, but there are also occasions when bad business practices … Continue reading NoMo? Say It Isn’t So!
Sometimes I chuckle at all the news coverage about self-driving cars, because I remember a few occasions when my own chariot drove itself. That would be during a period well over a decade ago when I was suffering the effects of sleep apnea. The problem is that my self-driving car didn't do a very good … Continue reading My Car Has Been Self-Driving At Times
Have you ever heard of a musical instrument called the glass armonica? If you think you have, then you might also think I meant to type 'harmonica' but you'd be wrong. A glass harmonica is the name used to describe the process of playing music with a wet finger on a row of glasses, and … Continue reading The Musical Side Of Ben Franklin
You won't find many critters cuter than a chipmunk. Little striped balls of fur that bounce around and run through the grass, occasionally standing on their hind feet and nibbling an acorn, they are definitely adorable. Sometimes you'll even see a pair of them chasing each other and it almost looks like they're playing. (Of … Continue reading Chipmunks Are Very Cute But. . .
I've mentioned a few times before that I played the clarinet as a kid (and compared myself to Benny Goodman) but I've also always had a fondness for the sound of a saxophone. I've never played one -- it was all I could do to manage the clarinet -- but I had a couple of … Continue reading What If Saxophones Had Never Been Invented?
Ancient mariners had a lot of different sea monster legends to worry about whenever they began their voyages. Everything from giant squids to sea serpents might be waiting for them, and if they avoided those then King Neptune himself might be lurking below the surface and ready to pull them under. Scary stuff but none … Continue reading Sea Monsters Are Real – And They’re Growing
It's been almost three years since the last edition of the Special Feature known as Saluting Silly Songs. The GMC itself is a little different now than it was then, but it is lighter and breezier -- or at least that's my aim -- so it should be a perfect fit for a feature that's … Continue reading Saluting Silly Songs – Always Say Yes!
An early jazz entertainer and songwriter, Una Mae Carlisle had a world of talent and a dazzling stage presence, all of which helped her become a popular star. Unfortunately her career was shortened by health problems, but for two decades she was a very successful part of the music scene. And it in no way … Continue reading Una Mae Met Fats And Sparks Flew
Geezer Music Club 